OF    THE 


PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY, 


DURING    THE 


••      7 


1861-65, 


WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  ITS  FIELD  AND  STAFF  OFFICERS 

AND  A  COMPLETE  RECORD  OF  EACH  OFFICER 

AND  ENLISTED  MAN. 


PREPARED  AT  THE  RBQUS8T  OF  THE  BEQIMBNT, 


HY 


.MAJOR  NINETY-SEVENTH  PA.  VOLS    AND  HUE  VET  COLONEL.  U.  S.  VOLS. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  STEEL  PORTRAIT  ENGRAVINGS  AND  WOOD  CUTS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR  FOU  THE  SUBSCRIBERS. 
1875. 


•E  5 

.5 


ENTERED  ACCORDING  TO  ACT  OF  CONGRESS.  IN  THE  YEAR  1875,  BY 

ISAIAH    PRICE, 
IN  THE  OFFICE  OF  THB  LIBRARIAN  OF  CONGRESS,  AT  WASHINGTON. 


PRINTERS, 

No.  23  South  Tenth  Street, 
Philadelphia. 


CONTENTS. 

PREFACE,  3. 

INTRODUCTORY  CORRESPONDENCE,  6. 

IN  WAR  TIME,  8. 

DEDICATORY,  9. 

CHAPTER  I — Organization  of  companies  and  company  promotions,  11;  Co.  A,  13;  Co. 
B,  20;  Co.  C,  24;  Co.  D,  37;  Co.  E,  44;  Co.  F,  47;  Co.  G,  51;  Co.  H,  55;  Co.  I, 
62;  Co.  K,  65;  Guss  Fencibles  Band,  69;  Independent  Company,  70. 

CHAPTER  II. — Camp  Wayne — progress  in  organization,  71;  correspondence  in  regard  to 
legislative  action,  72;  drill  and  duties  in  camp — interest  of  citizens,  77;  official  visit 
of  Gov.  Curtin  and  staff,  78;  flag  presentation,  79;  the  Governor's  speech,  80;  reply 
by  Col.  Guss  and  Adjt.  Carruthers,  82;  marching  orders,  83;  departure  from 
Camp  Wayne — ovation  from  citizens  at  West  Chester,  84;  Philadelphia — Cooper 
Shop  and  Union  Refreshment  Saloons — greetings  at  Chester  and  Wilmington, 
85;  Baltimore — Washington — Camp  II.  Jones  Brooke,  86;  new  Springfield  rifles — 
return  to  Baltimore,  87;  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  88;  Camp  Hamilton,  89;  drill  and 
picket  duty,  90;  firing  by  the  enemy  at  Sewell's  Point — a  winter  morning  in  camp, 
91;  the  first  discharges  and  the  first  death  in  the  regiment,  92;  October  to  December, 
1861. 

CHAPTER  III. — Department  of  the  South — marching  orders,  93;  voyage  to  Port  Royal, 
S.  C. — storm  at  sea,  94;  Hilton  Head — hospitality  of  76lh  P.  V.,  95;  assigned  to 
Gen.  II.  G.  Wright's  brigade,  96;  advance  at  Port  Royal  Ferry,  97;  detail  for  re 
cruiting  service — expedition  to  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga.,  98;  Tybee  Island  and  siege 
of  Fort  Pulaski,  99;  death  in  the  regiment,  101;  operations  on  the  coast  of  Florida — 
capture  of  Fort  Clinch  and  occupation  of  Fernandina,  104;  capture  and  occupation 
of  Jacksonville,  May  port  and  St.  Augustine,  105;  defensive  operations  at  Jackson 
ville — night  attack  and  capture  of  outposts  by  the  enemy — their  repulse  and  loss — 
a  rebel  colonel  and  flag  of  truce,  106;  reconnoissance  by  the  97th  P.  V. — Brig. 
Gen.  T.  W.  Sherman  relieved  of  command  of  department  by  Maj.  Gen.  David 
Hunter — evacuation  of  Jacksonville,  107;  return  to  Fernandina  and  to  Hilton  HeaU, 
108:  muster  of  officers  by  order  of  Gen.  Hunter — Gen.  Wright's  brigade  ordered 
to  Edisto — hospitality  of  55th  P.  V. — inspection  and  review,  109;  resignations  and 
discharges — preparation  for  an  advance,  110;  December,  1861,  to  June,  1862. 

CHAPTER  IV. — Gen.  Hunter's  advance — troops  cross  to  John's  Island,  111;  the  march 
to  Live  Oak  Point — rebel  cavalry  scouts  fire  upon  Co.  B — the  march  through  mud 
and  rain  to  Legareeville,  112;  recruiting  party  rejoin  regiment — reconnoissance  by 
97th  P.  V.  and  skirmish  with  the  enemy — the  wounded  and  prisoners  captured — 
thanks  of  Gen.  Wright,  113;  occupation  of  James  Island — the  detachment  at  Le 
gareeville,  114;  position  of  forces  on  James  Island — enemy  intrenched  at  Seces- 
sionville  and  other  points,  115;  97th  P.  V.  on  picket — enemy  shell  the  lines — their 
skirmishers  fired  upon — action  at  Grimball's  Plantation,  116;  the  position  and 
forces  engaged — Col.  Guss  in  command — his  coolness  and  judgment  in  arranging 
the  troops  for  action,  117;  desperate  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  break  the  lines — their 
repulse — the  loss  on  both  sides,  118;  accounts  of  the  action,  120;  severity  of  picket 
duty — a  night  attack,  121;  the  casualties,  123;  action  at  Secessionville,  124;  a 
desperate  assault  and  unsuccessful  result — the  97th  P.  V.  cover  the  retreat — con 
gratulations  from  the  troops  and  thanks  of  Gen.  Benham,  125;  Col.  Williams' 
letter  to  Gov.  Curtin — congratulatory  order  to  the  troops,  126;  commissions  and 
promotions — recapitulation  of  duty — evacuation  of  James  and  Edisto  Islands.  128; 
June  to  July  16,  1862. 


M208965 


IV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. — Return  to  Hilton  Head — encamp  outside  the  stockade,  130;  Col.  Guss  in 
command  of  post — other  officers  on  post  duty,  131;  review  of  troops  by  Maj.  Gen. 
Hunter — picket  duty  on  Broad  River,  132;  muster  out  of  the  band — sword  pre 
sentation  to  Col.  Guss,  133;  Gen.  Hunter  relieved  of  command  of  department  by 
Brig.  Gen.  John  M.  Branuan,  U.  S.  V. — second  detail  for  recruiting  service — Maj. 
Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchel  assigned  to  command  of  department,  134;  active  operations 
commenced — Gen.  Mitchel's  visit  to  the  regiment,  135;  camp  at  Spanish  Wells, 
136;  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  assigned  to  command  of  brigade,  137;  congestive 
and  yellow  fever — deaths  in  regiment — action  at  Pocotaligo,  139;  death  of  Gen. 
Mitchel — Gen.  Brannan  resumes  command,  140;  death  and  burial  of  Lieut.  Morton, 
141;  removal  to  St.  Helena  Island,  143;  Thanksgiving  Day  at  Fort  Pulaski,  144; 
Christmas  Day  at  St.  Helena — regiment  returns  to  Hilton  Head — Maj.  Gen.  Hunter 
again  in  command  of  department,  145;  inspection  and  review  of  regiment — detail 
on  duty  at  Braddock's  Point — arrival  of  additional  troops,  146;  remains  of  Lieut. 
Gardner  and  Priv.  McKinly,  of  Co.  C,  sent  home  for  burial,  147;  boat  drill  by 
troops — detachment  on  duty  at  Paris  Island,  148;  a  ballad  of  Paris  Island,  149; 
theatrical  performances — rebel  raid  and  capture  at  signal  station,  Spanish  Wells, 
150;  night  march  of  97th  P.  V.,  151;  July,  1862,  to  April,  1863. 

CHAPTER  VI. — Second  expedition  against  Charleston — Col.  Guss  assigned  to  command 
of  brigade,  152;  Folly  Island,  Hilton  Head  and  Edisto,  153;  regiment  transferred  to 
Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade  at  Seabrook — Col.  Guss  in  command  of  troops  at  Botany 
Bay  Island,  154;  enemy  attack  pickets  at  Seabrook,  157;  reoccupation  of  James 
Island,  158;  operations  on  Folly  Island,  159;  assault  and  capture  of  the  enemy's 
works  on  Morris  Island,  161;  Gen.  Terry's  operations  on  James  Island,  162;  action 
at  Stevens'  Landing,  163;  evacuation  of  James  Island,  164;  Morris  Island — first 
assault  on  Fort  Wagner,  166;  preliminary  siege  operations,  167;  second  assault 
on  Fort  Wagner,  168;  repulse — gathering  up  the  wounded,  174;  statement  of 
casualties,  176;  the  hospitals  and  Miss  Clara  Barton,  177;  further  siege  operations, 
178;  batteries  erected,  180;  flag  of  truce — exchange  of  prisoners,  182;  arrival 
of  reinforcements — Ool.  Guss  in  command  of  1st  brigade,  1st  division,  10th  corps, 
183;  attack  of  enemy  upon  picket  boats  in  Light  House  Creek,  in  charge  of  Capt. 
Paine,  100th  N.  Y.,  and  Lieut.  H.  Odiorne,  Co.  D,  97th  P.  V.— Privs.  Eyre  and 
Russell  killed,  and  Sapp  wounded,  184;  Swamp  Angel  Battery,  185;  bombardment 
of  Fort  Sumter,  187;  effect  of  bombardment,  188;  Gen.  Gillmore  demands  the 
surrender  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Sumter  to  avoid  a  bombardment  of  Charleston, 
189;  the  Swamp  Angel  opens  on  the  city — the  effect  described  by  a  Charleston 
paper,  189;  enemy  charge  upon  the  sappers  and  miners  and  are  repulsed — men  of 
the  97th  P.  V.  wounded,  190;  97th  P.  V.  advance  and  engage  the  enemy's  pickets- 
charge  of  24th  Mass,  upon  the  enemy,  at  the  sand  ridge,  supported  by  the  97th 
P.  V. — capture  of  the  enemy's  line  and  entire  force  in  the  trenches — the  fifth  and 
last  parallel — torpedoes  and  narrow  escape  of  Capt.  Walker,  1st  N.  Y.  Engs.,  191; 
continued  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  and  its  effect,  192;  incidents  of  the  siege, 
194;  arrangements  for  a  final  assault,  198;  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg  occupied,  199; 
complimentary  order  of  Gen.  Gillmore  to  the  troops,  204;  review  of  the  forces  at 
Morris  Island,  205;  recapitulation  of  duty,  206;  April  1  to  October  1,  1863. 

CHAPTER  VII. — Departure  from  Morris  Island,  209;  Fernandina,  Fla.,  210;  details  for 
post  duty,  212;  hospitality  of  naval  officers  at  post,  216;  conscripts  assigned  to 
regiment,  218;  visitors  and  social  interest — inland  excursions,  221;  Thanksgiving 
Day  observances,  222;  salute  in  honor  of  Grant's  victories,  223;  desertion  of  sub 
stitutes  and  arrests,  224;  Christmas  festivities,  225;  visit  of  Gen.  Gillmore,  228;  exe 
cution  of  deserters,  230;  capture  of  Camp  Cooper,  232;  expedition  to  Woodstock 
and  King's  Ferry  Mills,  234;  re-enlistment  of  veterans,  240;  return  of  Col.  Guss 
and  other  officers  with  veterans  on  furlough,  241;  Mij.  Pennypacker  in  command 
of  post — resignation  of  Lieut.  Col.  Duer — promotion  of  field  officers,  242;  pro 
motion  of  line  officers,  243;  regiment  relieved  from  duty  at  Fernandina,  244;  de 
parture  for  Port  Royal,  245;  October  1,  1863,  to  April  25,  1864. 


CONTENTS.  V 

VIII. — Embark  nt  Port  Royal  on  steam  transport  North  Star,  for  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,24(5;  whisky  and  Insubordination — :i  thrilling  incident,  2-17;  Gloucester 
Point,  Va.,  and  Yorktown,  Va. — organization  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  248; 
grand  review  of  troops  by  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F.  Buller — departure  of  the  expedition 
from  Yorktown,  Va.,  for  James  River,  24!);  incidents — site  of  Jamestown,  250; 
capture  of  City  Point,  Va. — advance  through  Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  251;  con 
tinued  advance — encounter  with  enemy  at  Port  Walthall  Junction,  253;  defensive 
line  established  from  the  James  to  the  Appomattox,  254;  advance  upon  Richmond 
and  Petersburg  Railroad  at  Chester  Heights — the  97th  P.  V.  destroy  the  road  and 
telegraph — iction  at  Swift  Creek,  215;  forced  nvircu  to  support  Gen.  Terry's  ad 
vance,  257;  return  of  veterans,  259;  Proctor's  Creek,  Drury's  Bluff  and  Fort 
D.irling,  263;  advance  and  action  on  Wier  Bottom  Church  Ro.ul,  207;  action  at 
Foster's  Place,  Va.,  270;  April  25,  1864,  to  May  20,  1864. 

CHAPTER  IX.— Action  at  Green  Plains,  Va.,  273;  gallant  charge  of  the  97th  P.  V.  upon 
Gen.  Pickett's  division — fearful  loss — Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  wounded,  278;  the 
killed  and  wounded,  280;  endeavor  to  cast  blame  upon  the  gallant  commander  of 
the  97th  P.  V. — a  correction,  282;  Beauregard's  assault  upon  Gen.  Butler's  centre 
repulsed  by  Gillmore's  10th  corps,  284;  troops  dispatched  to  join  Gen.  Grant's 
Army,  285;  White  House,  Va. — 1st  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  2S6;  action  at  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  287;  return  to  City  Point — advance  against  Petersburg,  289;  action 
at  Petersburg  Heights,  291;  capture  of  the  enemy's  strong  lines — the  advance 
checked  by  the  arrival  of  Lee's  veteran  forces,  292;  siege  operations,  293;  2d 
division  returns  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  295;  resignation  of  Col.  II.  R.  Guss,  29(5; 
correspondence  and  testimonial,  297;  farewell  letter  of  Col.  Guss,  298;  May  20  to 
June  23,  1864. 

CHAPTER  X. — Gen.  Gillmore  relinquishes  command  of  the  10th  corps — 2d  division,  10th 
corps,  again  detached — return  to  Petersburg  front,  299 ;  severity  of  service  in  the 
trenches,  300;  action  at  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  301;  casualties,  302;  details  for  spe 
cial  duty,  303;  visitors  from  West  Chester,  304;  Maj.  Gen.  D.  B.  Birney  as 
signed  to  command  of  10th  corps — 97th  P.  V.  transferred  to  2d  brigade,  2d  division' 
305  ;  Rev.  D.  W.  Moore  appointed  chaplain — baptism  of  fire,  306  ;  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  307;  casualties  in  97th  P.  V.,  311;  2d  division  rejoin  10th  corps  at 
Bermuda  Hundred,  Va. — terrific  explosion,  312;  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypaeker  promoted 
to  colonel — his  return  to  the  regiment — operations  north  of  the  James,  313; 
actions  at  Deep  Bottom  and  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  315;  death  of  Adj.  Carru- 
thers,  316 ;  other  casualties,  317 ;  flag  of  the  97th  P.  V.— encampment  at  Deep 
Run,  318;  complimentary  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  D.  B.  Birney — muster  out  of  men 
of  Company  A,  319 ;  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church — return  to  Petersburg  front — 
Col.  Peuuypacker  assigned  to  command  of  brigade,  320;  second  flag  received — 
muster  out  of  men  of  Companies  C  and  D,  322;  actions  at  Fort  Harrison,  New 
Market  Heights  and  Fort  Gilmer,  323;  repulse  of  the  euemy  by  the  10th  corps  at 
Charles  City  Road,  325;  death  of  Maj.  Gen.  D.  B.  Birney— Gen.  Terry  appointed 
to  command  of  10th  corps,  327 ;  congratulatory  order  of  Gen.  Butler,  329  ;  action 
at  Darby  Town,  Va. — death  of  Capt.  Hawkins,  331  ;  muster  out  of  officers  and  men 
at  expiration  of  term,  333  ;  promotions — preparation  of  winter  quarters  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  335  ;  farewell  letter  of  Chaplain  Moore,  336  ;  reorganization  of  the  Army  of 
the  James,  337  ;  June  23  to  December  2,  1864. 

CHAPTER  XI. — Department  of  North  Carolina — Gen.  Butler's  expedition  to  Fort  Fisher, 
338 ;  movements  of  land  forces  and  naval  fleet — storm,  340 ;  bombardment  and 
landing  of  Butler's  forces — reconnoissance  by  Gen.  Weitzel — his  adverse  report — 
Gen.  Curtis'  advance  and  capture  of  the  enemy's  outlines,  341;  Curtis'  preparation 
to  storm  Fort  Fisher — orders  to  withdraw  the  forces — an  unsolved  problem — return 
to  Chapin's  Farm,  342 ;  comments  in  regard  to  the  failure  of  the  expedition — 
Grant's  letter  of  instruction,  343;  Gen.  Butler  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  de 
partment — Gen.  Ord  appointed — Butler's  farewell  to  his  troops,  344;  second  ex 
pedition  under  Gen.  Terry — Gen.  Grant's  letter  of  instructions,  345;  arrival  of  Gen. 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Terry's  forces  at  Federal  Point — successful  landing  of  the  troops — Gen.  Terry's 
official  report  of  the  operations  at  Fort  Fisher,  347 ;  Gen.  Ames'  report  to  Gen. 
Terry,  350;  table  of  casualties — Pennsylvania  troops  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  351; 
Admiral  Porter's  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  352;  thanks  of  the  nation 
tendered  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  353;  the  casualties  at  Fort  Fisher,  355;  brevet 
promotions  by  the  War  Department,  357;  the  advance  upon  Fort  Anderson  and 
Wilmington,  359;  occupation  of  Wilmington,  361;  relief  of  starving  and  dying 
Union  prisoners,  363;  advance  toward  Goklsboro' — Hoke  repulsed,  365;  opera 
tions  by  Gen.  Terry's  command — thanks  of  Gen.  Sherman  in  field  orders — 97th 
P.  V.  as  escort  to  Gen.  Kilpatrick's  wagon  train,  366;  news  of  Lee's  surrender, 
367;  Johnson's  surrender  to  Sherman — occupation  of  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  368;  Col. 
Pennypacker  promoted  to  brigadier  general,  U.  S.  V. — his  letter  of  farewell  to  his 
regiment,  369;  subsequent  promotions,  370;  occupation  of  Gaston  and  Weldon, 
N.  C.,  371;  muster  out  at  Weldon,  N.  C.— return  to  Philadelphia,  372;  the  final 
disbanding — roster  of  field,  staff  and  company  officers,  373;  official  record  of  en 
gagements,  375;  additional  record  and  recapitulation,  376;  December  2,  1864,  to 
September  4,  1865. 

CHAPTER  XII. — Recruiting  Service — first  detail  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  December  8. 
1861,  1st  Lieut.  Taylor  and  detachment,  377;  detail  rejoin  the  regiment  at  War 
saw  Sound,  Ga.,  378;  second  detail  at  Hilton  Head,  January  2,  1862,  Capt.  Price 
and  detachment,  379;  stationed  at  West  Chester,  Chester  and  Oxford — irksomeness 
of  this  service — efforts  to  return — the  detachment  relieved  and  ordered  to  Harris- 
burg,  thence  to  New  York — embark  for  Port  Royal — shipwreck  off  Cape  Ilatteras, 
380;  difficulty  of  landing — encampment  on  shore,  381;  a  serious  accident  and  a 
lively  incident,  382;  arrival  of  the  George  Peabody  and  Qr.-Mr.  Ellis — a  hasty 
embarking — arrival  at  Hatteras  Inlet — a  week's  delay — an  unseaworthy  craft — re 
turn  to  New  York — further  delay — re-embark  for  Port  Royal,  383;  arrival  at  Port 
Royal — more  delay — the  deserted  camp  at  Edisto — Stono  River  and  arrival  at 
Legareeville — rejoin  the  regiment — list  of  recruits — report  for  duty,  384;  Capts. 
Guss  and  Wayne  with  men  of  each  company  detailed  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. — 
an  account  of  service — list  of  recruits — resignation  of  Capt.  Wayne,  385;  Capts. 
Lewis  and  Hoopes  ordered  to  draft  rendezvous  for  men  for  regiment,  386; 
voyage  of  the  Arago — exciting  chase — capture  of  a  blockade  runner,  387;  report 
at  Philadelphia — Capt  Lewis  and  part  of  detail  return  with  detachment  of  men, 
388;  Capt.  Hoopes  and  remainder  return  with  second  detachment — Maj.  Price 
ordered  to  rendezvous  for  drafted  men  in  Pennsylvania,  389;  men  assigned  to 
regiment,  390. 

CHAPTER  XIII. — Biographical  sketches  of  field  and  staff  officers,  391;  Brevet  Brig.  Gen. 
Henry  R.  Guss,  U.  S.  V.,  392:  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  G.  Pennypacker,  U.  S.  Army,  399; 
Lieut.  Col.  A.' P.  Duer,  432;  Brevet  Col.  Isaiah  Price,  434;  Capt.  Harry  W.  Carru- 
thers,  437;  Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  443;  Capt.  George  W.  Hawkins,  Co.  I,  446; 
Col.  John  Waiuwright,  451;  Lieut.  Col.  William  H.  Martin,  454;  Chaplain  Wil 
liam  M.  Whitehead,  456. 

CHAPTER  XIV. — Roster  and  record  of  service — field  officers,  457;  staff  officers,  460;  non 
commissioned  staff,  461;  Guss  Fencibles  Band,  462;  Co.  A,  Guss  Fencibles,  464; 
Co.  B,  Chester  County  Grays,  475;  Co.  C,  Paoli  Guards,  485;  Co.  D,  Concord  - 
ville  Rifles,  496;  Co.  E,  Mulligan  Guards,  508;  Co.  F,  National  Guards,  517;  Co. 
G,  Broomall  Guards,  527;  Co.  H,  Greble  Guards,  537;  Co.  I,  Brooke  Guards,  547; 
Co.  K,  Wayne  Guards,  555. 

CHAPTER  XV. — Recapitulation  from  roster  and  record,  565;  tabular  statement  of  mor 
tality  and  casualties,  566;  recapitulation  from  tabular  statement,  585;  In  Memo- 
riam,  Fallen  Patriots  Requiem,  586. 

CHAPTER  XVI. — Return  of  the  Battle  Flags  at  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia,  July  4, 
1866,  587. 

CHAPTER  XVII. — Proceedings  in  regard  to  a  monument,  589. 


ILLUSTRATIONS.  VII 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

No.  PaRi«. 

1.  Portrait  of  Henry  R.  Guss,  Brevet  Major  General,  U.  8.  Vols.,      .         Frontispiece. 

2.  The  Cooper  Shop  Volunteer  Refreshment  Saloon  und  Hospital,        ...  8-1 

3.  The  Union  Volunteer  Refreshment  Saloon 85 

4.  Fortress  Monroe  in  1861,             88 

5.  The  Burning  of  Hampton,          .                          89 

6.  Ruins  of  St.  John's  Church 89 

7.  Battle  of  the  Monitor  uml  Mcrrimac, 01 

8.  Plan  of  the  Battle  at  Port  Royal  Harbor 92 

9.  Fort  Walker, 94 

10.  Fort  Beauregard !)4 

11.  Stone  Fleet  Blockade, 95 

12.  Pope's  House  at  Hilton  Head, 90 

13.  Map  of  Port  Royal,  S.  C., 97 

14.  Martello  Tower,  Tybee  Island ,  99 

15.  Breach  in  Fort  Pulaski, 100 

16.  Obstructions  in  Savannah  River,        .........  108 

17.  Fort  Clinch, 104 

18.  The  Planter, Ill 

19.  Pickets  on  Duty 121 

20.  House  at  Mitchelville 130 

21.  Drayton's  Mansion, 132 

22.  Head  Quarters  of  Hunter  and  Mitchel, .  134 

23.  Live  Oak  Grove  at  Port  Royal, 137 

24.  Portrait  of  Sketchley  Morton,  Jr.,  First  Lieutenant  Company  I,  97th  P.  V.,  141 

25.  Fort  Pulaski, 144 

26.  Siege  of  Charleston, .        .        .  160 

27.  Beacon  House, 167 

28.  New  Ironsides  and  Monitors 168 

29.  Fort  Wagner  at  Point  of  Assault, 172 

30.  Bomb  and  Splinter  Proof, 180 

31.  Army  Signal  Telegraph 181 

32.  The  Swamp  Angel  Battery, 186 

33.  Fort  Sumter  after  the  Bombardment 193 

34.  A  Respectful  Shell 194 

35.  Fort  Wagner,  Sea  Front 1<J!) 

36.  Interior  of  Fort  Sumter, 205 

37.  A  Florida  Swamp  and  Jungle, .      _  .        .        .  221 

38.  Battery  and  Church  Tower,  Site  of  Jamestown 250 

39.  Line  of  Defence  at  Bermuda  Hundred,                        ; 252 

40.  Butler's  Head -Quarters,  near  Dutch  Gap 253 

41.  Jeff  Davis'  Necktie 255 

42.  Fort  Darling, '.        ....  263 

43.  Rifle  Pits  at  Green  Plains,  Va., 274 

44.  Position  of  Gen.  Smith's  Command  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,         ....  287 

45.  Gen.  Smith's  Head-Quarters,  Cold  Harbor, 289 

46.  Defences  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg,     .        ..        .        .  .     .        .        .        .  290 

47.  Dr.  Friend's  House, 292 


PREFACE. 

with  many  misgivings,  fearing  lest  the  very  favorable  expression  in 
regard  to  the  sketch  referred  to  should  elevate  expectation  beyond 
any  reasonable  hope  of  realization  in  the  more  extended  work, 
which  would  demand  a  larger  ability  and  the  most  earnest  effort 
to  fulfil. 

The  pages  of  the  present  work  have  been  chiefly  prepared  during 
the  interrupted  intervals  of  professional  duties,  reaching  nearly 
to  completion  by  the  end  of  October,  1873.  The  ascertainment  of 
many  dates,  and  other  items  of  interest  from  official  records  and 
other  sources,  has  required  longer  time  and  much  patient  research, 
which  have  delayed  the  publication  beyond  the  time  it  was  at  first 
supposed  would  be  required  for  its  completion. 

To  General  James  W.  Latta,  Adjutant  General  of  Pennsylvania, 
whose  courtesy  and  kindness  afforded  every  facility  desired  from  the 
records  in  his  office,  the  author  is  greatly  indebted,  especially  for 
the  verification  of  the  record  rolls  of  the  Regiment  by  the  clerical 
aid  in  his  office,  which  has  enabled  him  to  present  a  complete  and 
most  accurate  record  of  each  man  upon  the  rolls. 

To  Private  John  L.  Kitts,  of  Company  C,  he  is  mainly  indebted 
for  the  unrestricted  use  of  his  private  diary,  from  which  were  ob 
tained  many  dates  of  various  movements,  events,  etc.,  and  the 
record  of  many  occurrences  that  would  otherwise  have  been  lost 
from  remembrance.  These  were  carefully  preserved  by  him  in  the 
diary  regularly  kept  during  almost  the  entire  period  of  his  enlist 
ment.  This  being  kindly  entrusted  for  the  purpose,  without  re 
serve,  proved  invaluable  in  making  up  the  record.  To  Colonel  H. 
R.  Guss,  for  official  papers,  records,  etc.  To  Captains  Francis  M. 
Guss,  Co.  A;  W.  S.  Mendenhall,  Co.  D;  D..W.  C.  Lewis,  Co.  F, 
(since  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel);  Charles  Mcllvaine,  Co.  IT; 
Dallas  Crow,  Co.  B,  and  W.  S.  Underwood,  Co.  K,  he  is  also 
indebted  for  company  records  and  accounts  of  the  organization  of 
their  respective  companies;  to  the  latter  also  for  some  account  of 
the  movements  of  the  Regiment  from  January  1  to  August  28,  1865. 
To  Colonel  John  Wainwright,  for  the  use  of  retained  copies  of  the 
muster-out-rolls  of  the  Regiment,  from  which  many  of  the  records 
were  obtained,  and  for  some  account  of  the  campaign  from  October, 
1864,  to  August,  1865,  while  the  Regiment  was  under  his  com 
mand.  To  Brevet  Major  U.  Jones,  Regimental  Quarter-Master,  for 
some  records,  papers,  etc.,  and  for  a  description  of  the  proposed 
monument.  Also  to  Musician  E.  R.  Eisenbeis,  of  Company  A,  for 


PREFACE.  5 

copies  of  the  regimental  records  prepared  by  him  while  regimental 
clerk  and  clerk  of  Company  A,  and  for  a  manuscript  sketch  of 
Colonel  H.  R.  Guss,  from  which  the  one  herein  published  was  re 
vised  and  enlarged. 

Some  items  of  much  interest  were  furnished  by  Captain  J.  P. 
Johnson,  of  the  steamer  Boston,  a  citizen  of  Chelsea,  Mass.,  whose 
kindness  and  interest  for  the  Regiment  will  be  remembered  by  all 
who  learned  to  regard  him  as  a  personal  friend.  The  Regiment 
was  frequently  embarked  upon  his  boat  in  tramitu  from  different 
places  in  the  Department  of  the  South.  To  Samuel  W.  Pcnny- 
packer,  Esq.,  of  the  Philadelphia  Bar,  author  of  "  Phccnixville 
and  its  Vicinity,"  the  author  is  also  indebted  for  items  of  the 
Pennypacker  genealogy  given  in  the  sketch  of  Major  General 
Pennypacker.  Also  to  J.  Hill  Martin,  Esq.,  author  of  "  History  of 
Chester,  Delaware  County,  Pennsylvania,"  for  brief  sketches  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  P.  Duer  and  Lieutenant  Sketchly  Morton, 
Jr.,  of  Co.  I,  to  all  of  whom  the  author  would  here  express  his 
sincere  thanks. 

I.  PRICE. 


INTRODUCTORY    CORRESPONDENCE. 


No.  1720  GREEN  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  October  29,  1873. 
To  MAJOR  GENERAL  G.  PENNYPACKER,  U.  S.  A. 
MY  DEAR  FRIEND: 

FTER  many  delays,  the  manuscript  history  of  the  Ninety- 
seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  is  now  nearly 
ready  for  the  press. 

In  consenting  to  undertake  the  work  of  its  prepara 
tion,  I  felt  the  very  embarrassing  position  in  which  it  would 
place  me,  having  to  write  of  much  that  transpired  while  the  Regi 
ment  was  under  my  own  command.  To  present  the  record  of  the 
Regiment  under  such  circumstances,  without  incurring  the  criticism 
of  egotism,  would  be  difficult  even  for  one  more  fully  qualified  to 
give  the  simple  narrative  of  those  services  in  which  he  had 
participated  in  the  most  obscure  position.  I  have,  therefore,  not 
hoped  to  wholly  escape  such  comment  from  the  captious  and  the 
critical. 

Yet  now — when  the  result  of  the  efforts  of  the  past  eight 
months  to  reclaim  from  oblivion  the  history  of  the  eventful  period 
of  service,  participated  in  by  our  gallant  Regiment  during  the  war, 
is  contained  in  the  sheets  before  me — with  a  feeling  of  distrust,  and 
shrinking  from  the  perils  and  penalties  of  authorship,  I  naturally 
turn  to  you,  my  Commanding  Officer,  always  generous  and  con 
siderate  toward  every  earnest  effort  in  the  performance  of  duty — and 
the  friend  and  companion  in  arms,  long  tried  and  sincere,  asking 
that  your  support  and  sympathy  may  attend  this  venture  toward 
answering  the  desire  of  our  surviving  comrades,  to  have  the  record 
of  our  dear  old  Regiment  perpetuated.  I  know  they  will  not  be 
withheld,  and  am,  therefore,  already  inspired  with  the  hope  that, 
with  your  approval,  it  will  be  the  more  leniently  regarded  and 
accepted  with  greater  interest. 

Ever  faithfully,  your  friend, 

I.  PRICE 


INTRODUCTORY    CORRESPONDENCE. 


HEAD-QUARTERS  SIXTEENTH  INFANTRY,  U.  S.  A. 
NASHVILLE,  TENN.,  November  1,  1873. 

To  COL.  ISAIAH  PRICE,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
MY  VERY  GOOD  FRIEND: 

'O  you  know  that  I  have  no  words  with  which  to  thank 
you  for  the  kind  expressions  contained  in  your  letter  of 
the  29th  of  October? 

The  great  trouble  about  your  book  will  be — not  that 
you  have  shown  any  egotism — you  will  not  do  yourself  the  justice 
you  should,  for  you  commanded  our  good  old  Regiment  through 
the  trying  and  stormy  period  of  its  existence.  It  would  seem 
strange  in  me,  perhaps,  to  commend  you;  but  it  seems  to  me  that  I 
never  had  a  stauncher  friend,  and  never  could  have  had  under  my 
command  a  better  soldier,  than  yourself. 

Of  course,  I  will  do  everything  that  lies  in  my  power  to  aid  in 
the  circulation  of  your  book  (the  publication  of  which  is  so  much 
more  of  an  object  with  us  than  with  you),  and  you  have  only  to 
indicate  to  me  any  way  in  which  I  can  be  of  service. 

The  only  fear  I  have  of  the  book,  knowing  your  diffidence  under 
such  circumstances,  is,  that  it  will  be  incomplete  in  its  narrative  of 
many  events  which  did  great  credit  to  the  Regiment,  but  which 
occurred  while  you  were  the  commanding  officer,  and  entitled  to  the 
honor  due  to  one  holding  your  rank  and  position. 

With  many  kind  regards«and  best  wishes,  I  am,  as  ever  before, 
Faithfully,  your  friend, 

G.  PENNYPACKER. 


IN    WAR    TIME. 

LOR  ISC  ANUS  queries:  "Why  should  we 
Vex  at  the  land's  ridiculous  miserie  ? " 
So  on  his  Usk  banks,  in  blood-red  dawn 
Of  England's  civil  strife,  did  careless  Vaughan 
Bemock  his  times.     O  friends  of  many  years! 
Though  faith  and  trust  are  stronger  than  our  fears, 
And  the  signs  promise  peace  with  liberty, 
Not  thus  we  trifle  with  our  country's  tears 
And  sweat  of  agony.     The  future's  gain 
Is  certain  as  God's  truth;  but,  meanwhile,  pain 
Is  bitter  and  tears  are  salt:    our  voices  take 
A  sober  tone;  our  very  household  songs 
Are  heavy  with  a  nation's  griefs  and  wrongs; 
And  innocent  mirth  is  chastened  for  the  sake 
Of  the  brave  hearts  that  nevermore  shall  beat, 
The  eyes  that  smile  no  more,  the  unreturning  feet ! 

WHITTIER. 


DEDICATORY. 

|OT  for  the  purpose  of  fostering  in  the  minds  of  the  youth 
of  our  country  an  undue  love  for  glory  in  military 
achievements  is  this  history  written.  But  rather  lest — 
while  enjoying  the  hlessings  of  peace,  secured  unto  them 
through  the  services  and  sacrifices  of  those  times  when  others  dedi 
cated  their  lives  to  the  work  of  preserving  the  integrity  and  life 
of  the  nation  in  its  hour  of  peril — future  generations  may  he  left 
unreminded  of  the  nature  of  those  services,  of  what  were  the 
sacrifices  and  cost  of  our  country's  liberty,  permanence  and  peace, 
demanding  of  them  a  jealous  and  perpetual  guardianship. 

This  end  is  the  aim  of  this  record,  now  reverently  dedicated  to 
the  memory  of  our  fallen  comrades,  who  not  only  endured  the  pri 
vations  of  the  march,  the  camp  and  the  field  of  battle,  but  gave 
their  lives  also  that  their  country  might  live. 

They  returned  not  with  us,  to  meet  the  glad  welcome  from  pa 
tient  loving  hearts,  that  had  long  kept  silent  watch,  through  faith, 
around  the  lone  home  hearths,  during  all  the  dark  weary  days  of 
"the  war  time,"  ever  prayerful  and  hopeful  of  the  ending,  that 
should  bring  back  to  them  husband,  father,  son,  brother,  lover ! 

But  for  them,  instead  of  such  welcome,  were  fountains  of  tears 
welling  from  agonized  hearts,  and  the  sad  duty  of  keeping  green 
their  grass-grown  graves,  and,  in  the  season  of  their  bloom,  garlanded 
by  flowers  gathered  from  gardens  of  lonely  vacant  homes,  annually 
brought  by  tender  hearts.  The  beauty  and  perfume  of  flowers  thus 
spread  with  trembling  hands  above  the  resting  place  of  their  con 
secrated  dead,  in  sweet  and  simple  tribute,  are  worthy  alike  the 
brave  and  the  sorrowing,  who  gave  their  all. 

Let  not  the  memory  of  these  countless  sacrifices  ever  be  ob 
literated,  nor  let  them  have  been  made  in  vain! 

The  deeds  of  the  heroic  dead,  in  such  cause,  need  no  eulogy. 
The  simple  record,  "They  followed  where  duty  called,"  is  all- 
sufficient  to  preserve  their  memory  ever  green. 

I.  PRICE. 

July  4,  1873. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  COMPANIES  FOR  THE  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT 
PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS,  AUGUST  AND  SEPTEMBER,  1861. 

HE  grand  response  of  a  loyal  people,  in  support  of 
national  defence  against  rebellion,  in  1861,  was  an 
event  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  nations.  To 
collect,  organize  and  array  the  vast  numbers  of  un 
disciplined  troops,  that  were  requisite  to  meet  the 
forces  in  rebellion,  and  having  possession  of  almost 
the  entire  military  and  naval  resources  of  the  coun 
try,  was  a  work  of  unprecedented  magnitude,  thrust 
upon  the  administration  of  Abraham  Lincoln  by 
the  defection  in  that  of  his  predecessor,  James  Buchanan. 

The  record  of  those  remarkable  efforts  and  events,  and  the  re 
sults  of  the  subsequent  memorable  conflict,  have  become  a  part  of 
the  nation's  history. 

The  heroic,  self-sacrificing  men,  who,  through  four  years  of  pri 
vation,  peril  and  war,  dedicated  their  lives  to  the  preservation  of 
national  integrity,  wrought  also  for  its  progress  in  the  direction  of 
its  founders'  intent  toward  the  realization  of  true  permanence, 
prosperity  and  peace,  as  a  priceless  legacy,  painfully  and  perilously 
secured  for  every  citizen. 

Each  of  the  grand  armies  organized  has  its  history  and  its  record 
roll  of  honored  names  identified  with  its  achievements,  its  fame 
and  its  success.  Each  corps,  division  and  brigade  has  its  im 
perishable  scroll,  perpetuating  the  deeds  of  valor  that  bore  its 
badges  and  its  banners  through  the  fire  of  many  battles  unto  bril 
liant  victories,  and  the  final  triumph  of  liberty,  union  and  peace. 

On  the  pages  of  these  histories  each  participant  may  trace  the 
record  of  his  own  efforts  through  the  campaigns  in  which  his  corps 
took  part.  With  eager  interest,  he  follows  the  record  of  his 
division  and  brigade,  feeling  a  just  pride  in  seeing  its  deeds 


12  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

enumerated.  Kindling  anew  the  old  enthusiasm  and  ardor  that 
was  the  sustaining  influence,  enabling  brave  men  to  encounter  the 
perils  and  surmount  the  obstacles  that  barred  the  way  to  victory  and 
success.  A  natural  desire  to  further  trace  the  individual  expe 
riences  of  the  men  who  so  faithfully  served  their  country,  in  its 
time  of  need,  has  prompted  the  compilation  of  the  "  Record  of  the 
Regiment."  Many  of  these  have  been  completed  with  considerable 
accuracy,  and  have  become  invaluable  in  interest  to  those  whose 
record  has  been  thus  more  perfectly  and  enduringly  perpetuated. 

The  desire  to  have  such  a  history  of  the  services  of  the  Ninety- 
seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  published,  having  long 
bordered  upon  expectancy,  now  reaches  a  late  fulfilment. 

The  first  influence  toward  the  organization  of  this  Regiment 
originated  with  the  Hon.  H.  Jones  Brooke,  late  a  State  Senator  for 
Chester  and  Delaware  counties.  Being  present  at  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  when  authority  to  recruit  a  regiment  for  the 
three  years'  service  was  being  granted,  upon  an  application  from 
his  State,  it  occurred  to  him  to  make  a  similar  application  for  the 
organization  of  a  regiment  from  his  own  Congressional  District, 
the  7th  Pennsylvania,  when  he  received  the  assurance  that  such 
authority  would  be  granted  to  any  one  he  might  designate  as  a 
proper  officer  to  organize  a  regiment.  He  at  once  communicated 
the  suggestion  to  Capt.  Henry  R.  Guss,  whom  he  knew  as  an 
active  and.  efficient  officer,  who  had  entered  the  three  months' 
service  with  a  large  number  of  men,  and  was,  at  that  time,  about 
to  be  mustered  out  of  service,  at  Harrisburg,  at  the  expiration 
of  that  term  of  service.  The  proposition  being  favorably  considered 
by  Capt.  Guss,  Senator  Brooks  forwarded  the  proposal — to  organize 
a  regiment  under  the  command  of  Col.  Henry  R.  Guss,  of  West 
Chester,  Pa.,  to  be  recruited  in  the  7th  Congressional  District — to 
the  Hon.  Simon  Cameron,  Secretary  of  War. 

Within  a  few  days,  the  following  letter  of  acceptance  was  re 
ceived  by  Col.  Guss: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  July  25,  1861. 
COL.  HENRY  R.  Guss,  West  Chester,  Pa. 

SIR:  The  regiment  of  infantry  which  you  offer  is  accepted  for 
three  years,  provided  you  have  it  ready  for  marching  orders  in 
twenty-one  days. 

This   acceptance   is   with    the  distinct   understanding    that   this 


ORGANIZATION   OF   THE   COMPANIES.  Itf 

Department  will  revoke  the  commissions  of  all  officers  who  may  he 
found  incompetent  for  the  proper  discharge  of  their  duties. 

You  will  promptly  advise  Adjutant  General  Thomas,  at  Wash 
ington,  the  date  at  which  your  men  will  he  ready  for  mustering, 
and  he  will  detail  an  officer  for  that  purpose. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

[Signed]  JAMES  LESLEY,  JR., 

Chief  Clerk,  War  Department. 

Capt.  Henry  R.  Guss  had  commanded  Company  A,  of  the  9th 
P.  V.,  during  its  term  of  service  (three  months)  with  Major  General 
Robert  Patterson's  command,  iu  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  adjacent 
counties  in  Pennsylvania.  The  command  had  been  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  July  '29,  1861. 

In  pursuance  of  the  authority  received  from  Secretary  Cameron. 
Col.  Guss  set  about  the  purpose  of  recruiting  and  organizing  his 
regiment  immediately  after  his  return  to  his  home  at  West  Chester. 
Inviting  the  co-operation  of  some  who  had  served  under  his  com 
mand  in  the  three  months'  campaign,  and  of  others  whose  ability  to 
aid  his  purpose  being  recognized  through  his  usual  careful  and  cor 
rect  observation  and  estimate  of  men.  these  were  duly  authorized  to 
commence  the  enrollment  of  recruits  and  the  organization  of  com 
panies. 

Many  of  the  men  who  were  first  enrolled  had  served  in  the  three 
months'  campaign,  and  some  were  men,  who  had  the  experience  of 
drill  and  discipline  as  members  of  military  or  militia  companies 
previous  to  the  war.  The  larger  number,  however,  were  without 
former  military  experience,  young  men  who  enlisted  from  a  sense  of 
duty  to  their  government  in  its  impending  danger;  earnest,  con 
scientious  young  men  of  most  excellent  character  and  promise,  the 
sons  of  the  most  worthy  citizens  in  their  native  counties.  * 


COMPANY  ORGANIZATION,  WITH  RECORD  OF  PROMOTIONS.     COMPANY 

A,  Guss  FENCIBLES. 

Recruiting  for  the  first  company  was  commenced  on  the  2d  of 
August,  1861,  by  Capt.  Galusha  Penny-packer,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  who  had  served  during  the  three  months'  term  in  Capt.  Guss' 
company  in  the  9th  Regiment  P.  V.,  of  which  he  was  appointed  a 


14  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

sergeant,  and,  being  promoted  to  a  position  on  the  non-commis 
sioned  staff  of  the  Regiment,  had  served  during  most  of  the  time 
as  acting  regimental  quarter-master. 

The  authority  to  recruit  a  company  for  the  new  regiment  was 
given  by  Col.  Guss,  verbally,  while  on  the  train  returning  from 
Harrisburg,  after  the  muster  out  of  the  9th  Regiment,  and  was  ac 
cepted  by  Capt.  Pennypacker  at  once,  who  made  his  purpose 
known  to  some  of  the  young  men  of  his  regiment  before  separating 
for  their  homes.  A  number  of  them  soon  after  joined  his  company, 
in  West  Chester,  where  recruits  began  to  collect  rapidly;  by  the 
17th  of  August,  the  number  had  reached  sixty-three.  On  that  day, 
they  went  into  camp  in  a  beautiful  grove  known  as  Everhart's 
Woods,  the  location  being  tendered  the  company  by  its  owner, 
Hon.  William  Everhart,  a  former  member  of  Congress  from  the 
district,  father  of  Dr.  John  R.  Everhart,  who  became  surgeon  of 
the  97th  Regiment.  The  camp  was  named  Camp  Everhart,  in 
compliment  to  its  owner,  who  had  provided  such  a  pleasant  spot, 
cool  and  shaded  from  the  August  heat. 

The  company  occupied  the  southeast  corner  of  the  grove,  ad 
joining  Barnard  Street.  The  men  were  furnished  with  tents  for 
temporary  use  by  the  old  National  Guards,  of  West  Chester,  which 
were  used  until  the  company  was  organized  and  mustered.  The 
name  adopted  by  the  company  was  the  Guss  Fencibles/  in  honor  of 
their  late  commander  in  the  National  Guards,  and  Company  A,  9th 
Regiment,  Col.  Henry  R.  Guss. 

The  first  muster  for  the  company  was  made  by  Capt.  John  H. 
McArthur,  2d  U.  S.  Cavalry,  assistant  mustering  officer  for  the 
eastern  division  of  Pennsylvania,  who,  on  the  22d  of  August,  1861, 
mustered  Capt.  Galusha  Pennypacker  as  captain  of  Company  A; 
Louis  Y.  Evans,  of  West  Chester,  who  had  served  as  sergeant  in 
Company  A,  9th  Regiment  P.  V.,  during  the  three  months'  term, 
was  then  mustered  as  1st  lieutenant;  William  Peace,  of  Coatesville, 
as  2d  lieutenant;  and  eighty-eight  enlisted  men  were  mustered  as 
privates,  an  aggregate  of  ninety-one  men.  On  the  30th  of  August, 
ten  additional  men  were  mustered,  making  the  requisite  number  one 
hundred  and  one,  officers  and  men,  for  the  company.  The  following 
non-commissioned  officers  were  appointed:  1st  sergeant,  Thomas  E. 
Weber,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.;  2d  sergeant,  Abel  Griffith,  of  West 
Chester,  Pa.;  3d  sergeant,  Thomas  McKay,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.; 
4th  sergeant,  Isaac  J.  Burton,  Coatesville,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  5th 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY   A.  15 

sergeant,  John  Brubaker,  Penningtonville,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  Sergt. 
McKay  being  designated  by  Col.  Guss  for  the  position  of  com 
missary  sergeant  of  Regiment,  he  was  appointed  to  that  position, 
October  29,  1861.  There  was  no  promotion  to  5th  sergeant  until 
April  28,  1862.  1st  corporal,  Jervis  J.  Rudolph,  of  Coatesville, 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  2d  corporal,  William  L.  Morris,  of  Oak  Hill,  Lan 
caster  Co.,  Pa.;  3d  corporal,  William  II.  Martin,  of  Christiana, 
Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.;  4th  corporal,  George  Ellam,  of  Coatesville, 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  5th  corporal,  Benjamin  F.  Stackhouse,  of  Concord- 
ville,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.;  6th  corporal,  Harry  L.  Pyott,  of  Willis- 
town,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  7th  corporal,  Reese  Elmer  Welch,  of  Honey- 
brook,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  8th  corporal,  Jacob  Daubman,  of  Philadel 
phia,  Pa. 

The  time  specified  by  the  War  Department,  twenty-one  days, 
being  entirely  inadequate  to  complete  the  organization  of  the  regi 
ment,  it  was  extended  by  the  following  order: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  August  22,  1861. 
COL.  HENRY  R.  Guss,  West  Chester,  Pa. 

SIR:  The  time  granted   you    by  this   Department,  in   which   to 
report  your  regiment  ready  for  marching  orders,  is  hereby  extended 
thirty  days,  with  the  understanding,  however,  that  you  make  every 
exertion  to  report  earlier  if  possible. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

[Signed]  JAMES  LESLIE,  JR., 

Chief  Clerk,  War  Department. 

The  company  remained  at  Camp  Everhart  until  September  12, 
regularly  engaged  in  performing  the  usual  camp  duties  and  in  ac 
quiring  proficiency  in  drill  and  discipline  under  the  instructions  of 
their  officers,  Capt.  G.  Pennypacker  being  also  meanwhile  actively 
engaged  in  superintending  the  requisite  arrangements  toward  the 
equipment  and  subsistence  of  the  recruits  for  his  own  and  the  other 
companies  then  being  organized. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  Company  A  moved  from  Camp  Ever 
hart,  in  order  to  join  the  other  companies  of  the  Regiment,  about 
to  go  into  quarters  in  the  Agricultural  Fair  Grounds,  which  had 
been  previously  occupied  by  the  9th  and  llth  Pennsylvania  (three 
months')  Regiments,  and  by  the  1st  and  7th  Regiments  of  Penn 
sylvania  Reserves,  being  known  as  Camp  Wayne.  Company  A 


16  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

selected  their  quarters  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  grounds, 
along  New  Street.  The  sheds  having  been  fitted  up  as  barracks, 
made  very  comfortable  shelter,  which  the  tact  and  ingenuity  of  the 
men,  with  a  supply  of  boards  and  clean  straw,  soon  made  quite 
desirable  as  domiciles,  and  with  the  influence  of  song  and  violin 
and  the  cheer  of  true  brave  hearts  in  close  companionship,  as  bunk 
mates,  the  tedium  of  camp  life  was  made  bright  and  joyous.  The 
scene  to  a  looker-on  became  a  marvel  to  reconcile  the  apparent  busy 
unconcern  of  men  about  to  enter  upon  scenes  and  duties  so  solemn, 
so  stern,  so  real;  yet,  to  the  more  sagacious  thinker,  the  thought 
was  presented  of  a  great  underlying  purpose  permeating  the  hearts 
of  these  men;  the  apparent  unconcern  being  typical  of  the  airy 
mist  playing  about  the  crest  of  some  vast  range  of  mountain  bar 
rier,  against  which  storms  might  dash  and  tempest  beat.  Thus 
should  these  brave  and  strong  men  stand  immovable  and  fixed,  a 
part  of  a  mighty  host  gathered  and  gathering,  against  which  the 
fiery  charge  of  treason  and  the  tide  of  battle  might  surge  as  vainly. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  organization  of  Company  A,  Capt.  G. 
Pennypacker  was  authorized,  pursuant  to  an  order  issued  by  Lieut. 
Col.  Charles  F.  Ruff,  3d  U.  S.  Cav.,  chief  mustering  officer  for  the 
eastern  division  of  Pennsylvania,  to  muster  the  officers  and  men 
who  should  enlist  in  the  remaining  companies  of  the  Regiment. 
He  accordingly  mustered  the  recruits  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  from  time  to  time,  as  enlisted,  during  the  organization,  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  officer,  who  deputized  him  to  perform 
the  service. 

Dr.  John  R.  Everhart,  having  been  selected  by  Col.  Guss  as  sur 
geon  of  the  Regiment,  made  the  prescribed  critical  examination  of 
all  the  men  presented  for  enlistment  in  the  several  companies  of  the 
Regiment. 

After  the  organization  of  three  companies,  Capt.  G.  Pennypacker, 
of  Company  A,  was,  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  designated  as  major  of 
the  Regiment.  He  had,  upon  the  first  occupation  of  Camp  Wayne, 
assumed  command  as  senior  captain,  and  continued  in  command  of 
the  camp  until  the  muster  of  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  on  October  7, 
1861. 

Company  A  received  its  allotment  of  clothing,  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  on  the  30th  of  August  and  its  arms  (the  old  rifled  musket) 
about  the  14th  of  September.  The  drill  in  the  manual  of  arms 
etc.,  was  diligently  maintained,  together  with  all  the  evolutions  and 


PROMOTIONS    IN    COMPANY    A.  17 

company  movements  which  tend  to  perfect  the  requisite  training  of 
the  soldier. 

Capt.  G.  Pennypacker's  commission  as  major  being  dated  Octo 
ber  7,  1861,  created  a  vacancy  in  Company  A  from  that  date,  he 
having  been  mustered  as  major  by  Lient.  Col.  Charles  F.  Ruff,  at 
Philadelphia,  on  October  7,  1861.  On  October  12,  the  members  of 
Company  A  being  authorized  to  do  so,  held  an  election  for  captain, 
which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Francis  M.  Guss.  of  West  Chester, 
a  brother  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  and  a  late  1st  lieutenant  in  Company 
A,  9th  Regiment  P.  V.  (in  the  three  months'  service).  He  was 
afterward  commissioned,  by  Gov.  Curtin,  as  captain  of  Company  A, 
and  was  duly  mustered  as  such  on  October  15,  1861,  and  imme 
diately  entered  upon  the  duties  of  commander  of  the  company. 
The  subsequent  promotions  in  the  company  and  non-commissioned 
officers  are  here  given  as  nearly  in  their  proper  order  as  could  be 
obtained.  On  April  28,  1862,  Corp.  J.  J.  Rudolph  was  promoted 
to  5th  sergeant.  The  corporals  were  each  advanced  one  in  grade. 
Private  Alfred  B.  Peace,  of  Coatesville,  was  appointed  8th  corporal. 

On  May  1,  1802,  1st  Lieut.  Louis  Y.  Evans  was  promoted  to  cap 
tain  of  Company  G.  2d  Lieut.  William  Peace  was  commissioned 
1st  lieutenant  of  Company  A,  and  1st  Sergt.  Thomas  E.  Weber,  2d 
lieutenant  of  the  company.  2d  Sergt.  Abel  Griffith  was  appointed 
1st  sergeant,  the  remaining  sergeants  were  promoted  one  in  grade 
respectively,  and  1st  Corp.  William  L.Morris  appointed  5th  ser 
geant.  The  corporals  were  then  designated  in  the  following  order : 
1st  Corp.  Stackhouse,  2d  Corp.  Martin,  3d  Corp.  Pyott,  4th  Corp. 
Ellam,  5th  Corp.  Welsh,  6th  Corp.  Daubman,  7th  Corp.  Peace,  and 
Private  Nathaniel  R.  Cowen,  of  Churchtown,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa., 
was  appointed  8th  corporal.  On  January  9,  1863,  3d  Sergt.  Bru- 
baker  was  reduced  to  the  ranks.  The  4th  and  5th  sergeants  were 
advanced  one  in  grade,  and  1st  Corp.  Stackhouse  was  appointed  5th 
sergeant.  The  other  corporals  were  advanced  one  in  grade,  Corp. 
Martin  being  1st  corporal.  Private  John  T.  Taylor,  of  Oxford, 
Chester  Co.,  was  appointed  8th  corporal. 

On  the  30th  of  January,  1864,  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  E.  Weber  was 
transferred  to  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  by  order  of  the  War  Depart 
ment,  and  on  the  18th  of  February,  1864,  1st  Lieut.  William  Peace 
resigned  and  was  honorably  discharged,  by  Special  Order  No.  66, 
Head-Quarters  Department  of  the  South,  dated  February  18,  1864, 
thus  vacating  both  positions.  1st  Sergt.  Abel  Griffith  was  promoted 


18  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

to  1st  lieutenant  and  2d  Sergt.  Isaac  J.  Burton  to  2d  lieutenant, 
their  commissions  being  dated  March  4,  1864.  3d  Sergt.  Rudolph 
was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant;  4th  Sergt.  Morris  to  2d  sergeant  and 
5th  Sergt.  Stackhouse  to  3d  sergeant.  1st  Corp.  Martin  was  ap 
pointed  4th  sergeant.  There  was  no  immediate  promotion  to  5th 
sergeant.  2d  Corp.  Pyott  was  promoted  to  1st  corporal. 

Private  Madison  Lovett,  of  Colerain,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  was  ap 
pointed  7th  corporal,  July  1,  1864,  and  Private  Harry  T.  Gray, 
veteran,  of  Concordville,  Delaware  Co.,  was  appointed  8th  corporal, 
August  1,  1864.  Corp.  John  T.  Taylor  was  killed  in  action,  at 
Mine,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  1864.  3d  Sergt.  B.  F.  Stack- 
house  died,  August  19,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Deep 
Bottom,  Va.,  August  16,  1864.  1st  Sergt.  Jervis  J.  Rudolph,  2d 
Sergt.  W.  L.  Morris,  and  Corps.  Harry  L.  Pyott,  Jacob  Daubman 
and  Alfred  B.  Peace,  were  mustered  out  of  service,  August  22,  1864, 
upon  the  expiration  of  term  of  service,  and  Corp.  Reese  E.  Welsh 
on  August  25,  1864.  4th  Sergt.  W.  H.  Martin  was  then  appointed 
1st  sergeant. 

To  fill  the  remaining  and  subsequent  vacancies,  the  following 
were  appointed  sergeants  :  Corp.  Harry  T.  Gray  to  sergeant,  August 
20,  1864  ;  Privates  Lewis  E.  Humptori,  appointed  corporal,  October 
10,  1864;  to  sergeant,  November  24,  1864;  Robert  L.  Black,  same 
date;  Frank  C.  Henry  appointed  corporal,  November  24,  1864;  to 
sergeant,  February  1,  1865,  and  Joseph  Phillips  appointed  corporal, 
July  1,  1865;  to  sergeant,  May  10,  1865.  Corp.  Madison  Lovett 
was  promoted  to  hospital  steward,  September  18,  1864.  1st  Sergt. 
William  H.  Martin  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant,  October  4, 
1864;  to  1st  lieutenant,  October  31,  1864;  to  captain,  December  4, 
1864;  to  major,  January  15,  1865,  and  to  lieutenant  colonel,  Jane 
1,  1865.  Sergt.  Harry  T.  Gray  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant, 
October  4,  1864,  and  to  1st  lieutenant,  December  4,  1864;  he  was 
not  mustered;  discharged,  May  9,  1865,  expiration  of  term.  Sergt. 
Lewis  E.  Humpton  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant,  December  4, 
1864;  to  captain,  February  28,  1865.  Sergt.  Robert  L.  Black  was 
promoted,  same  date,  to  1st  lieutenant.  Capt.  Humpton  resigned 
May  22,  1865.  On  June  15,  1865,  1st  Lieut.  Black  was  promoted 
to  captain.  Sergt.  Frank  C.  Henry  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant, 
February  28,  1865;  to  2d  lieutenant,  May  1,  1865.  and  to  1st 
lieutenant,  June  15,  1865,  but  was  not  mustered  as  lieutenant. 
Sergt.  Joseph  Phillips  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant,  February  19, 


1'KOMOTIONS    IN    COMPANY    A.  19 

1865,  and  on  June  15,  1865,  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant,  but 
was  not  mustered  as  lieutenant.  Private  Jeptha  Clark  was  pro 
moted  to  corporal,  February  1,  1865;  to  sergeant,  May  1,  1865. 
Private  James  P.  Smedley  promoted  to  corporal  and  to  sergeant,  no 
date;  Private  Allison  Gibson  promoted  to  corporal  and  to  sergeant, 
no  date;  John  Ilarman,  substitute,  promoted  to  corporal;  to  sergeant, 
July  19,  1865.  These  four  sergeants  were  all  mustered  out  with  the 
company,  August  '28,  1865.  Private  Caleb  B.  Moore,  recruit,  pro 
moted  to  corporal;  discharged  for  wounds,  April  22,  1865;  Private 
Lewis  JLarrison,  drafted,  promoted  to  corporal;  discharged  by  general 
order,  June  2,  1865;  Private  John  M.  Stevens,  drafted,  promoted 
to  corporal,  discharged  by  general  order,  June  2,  1865;  Private 
Nathaniel  Whitebread,  substitute,  promoted  to  corporal;  discharged 
by  general  order,  May  5,  1865;  Private  Henry  A.  Wittich^  sub 
stitute,  promoted  to  corporal,  April  22,  1865;  Private  John  T. 
Carpenter,  recruit,  promoted  to  corporal,  July  19,  1865;  Private 
Lewis  Macks,  substitute,  promoted  to  corporal,  July  19,  1865; 
Private  Taylor  Richardson,  veteran,  promoted  to  corporal,  August 
18,  1865  ;  Private  Robert  M.  Glisan,  substitute,  promoted  to  corporal, 
August  18,  1865  ;  Private  Henry  P.  Towns,  substitute,  promoted  to 
corporal,  August  18,  1865;  Private  Burton  G.  Bovee,  substitute, 
promoted  to  corporal ;  Private  Daniel  Phillips,  substitute,  promoted 
to  corporal.  The*  eight  last  were  mustered  out  with  company, 
August  28,  1865,  Of  the  original  number,  five  non-commissioned 
officers  and  seventeen  privates  re-enlisted  as  veterans  at  Fernandina, 
Fla,.,  in  accordance  with  general  orders  of  War  Department,  No. 
191,  series  of  1863,  and  No.  25,  of  186-4,  were  mustered  into  the 
service,  for  the  remainder  of  the  war,  by  1st  Lieut.  M.  V.  B.  Rich 
ards,  United  States  mustering  officer;  those  not  re-enlisting  and  not 
previously  discharged  being  mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  their 
term  of  service,  from  August  22  to  30,  thirty-one  being  discharged 
on  the  former  date.  They  were  the  first  to  return  to  their  homes, 
were  cordially  welcomed  at  West  Chester  upon  their  arrival  and 
provided  with  hospitable  entertainment  by  their  old  commander,  Col. 
Guss,  at  the  Green  Tree  Hotel. 

At  North  Edisto,  July  12,  1862,  a  splendid  sword,  sheath,  waist- 
belt,  sash,  shoulder  straps  and  sword  case  were  presented  by  the 
members  of  the  company  to  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss.  The  movement  had 
been  originated  in  January,  by  subscription  to  the  fund  for  the  pur 
pose,  and  the  order  was  sent  by  Col.  II.  R.  Guss.  The  express 


20  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

package  arrived  a  few  days  previously,  and  by  arrangement,  after 
breakfast,  the  men  were  in  line  to  wait  upon  the  captain  at  his 
quarters.  The  presentation  speech  was  made  by  Private  David  M. 
Taylor,  who,  in  a  few  expressive  words,  apprised  the  captain  of  the 
purpose  of  their  visit.  Capt.  Guss  received  this  handsome  testi 
monial  as  a  complete  surprise,  having  had  not  the  least  intimation 
of  any  such  purpose.  He  replied  in  a  few  happy  words,  expressing 
his  surprise  and  thanks  for  the  manifestation  of  confidence  and 
respect.  The  occasion  was  one  of  much  good  feeling  throughout 
the  company. 


COMPANY  B,  CHESTER  COUNTY  GRAYS. 

The  organization  of  this  company  was  commenced  at  Parkesburg, 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  on  the  15th  of  August,  1861,  by  the  consolidation 
of  two  volunteer  companies,  one  known  as  the  Chester  County 
Grays,  of  that  place,  commanded  by  Capt.  William  B.  McCoy,  and 
the  other  as  the  Keystone  Rifles,  of  Cochranville,  Chester  Co.,  com 
manded  by  Capt.  Robert  L.  McClellan. 

The  men  were  mostly  from  the  vicinity  of  those  places.  On  the 
30th  of  August,  1861,  the  first  muster  was  made  at  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  by  Capt.  G.  Pennypacker,  when  eighty-five  men  were  mus 
tered,  with  Capt.  William  B.  McCoy  as  commanding  officer,  and 
designated  as  Company  B,  97th  Regiment  P.  V.  The  remaining 
officers  then  mustered  were :  1st  lieutenant,  Jonas  M.  C.  Savage, 
of  Cochranville ;  2d  lieutenant,  James  Hughes.  The  non-commis 
sioned  officers  then  appointed  were:  1st  sergeant,  John  Armstrong; 
2d  sergeant,  David  N.  Birney;  3d  sergeant,  Hugh  M.  Hutton;  4th 
sergeant,  Nelson  P.  Boyer;  5th  sergeant,  Henry  Kendig,  Jr.;  1st 
corporal,  Elisha  Middleton;  2d  corporal,  Samuel  McCluskey;  3d 
corporal,  Andrew  J.  Graham;  4th  corporal,  John  DeLaugh;  5th 
corporal,  Robert  Ferguson  ;  6th  corporal,  Webster  A.  Nichols  ,  7th 
corporal,  Joseph  Haines;  8th  corporal,  James  T.  Skiles.  Musicians: 
William  James  Irwin,  fifer,  and  Benjamin  K.  Hutton,  drummer. 
Wagoner,  James  McNulty. 

The  militia  name  adopted  by  the  company  was  the  Chester  County 
Grays,  after  Capt.  McCoy's  old  company.  The  men  went  into 
quarters  in  Camp  Wayne,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1861,  occupying 
the  barracks  at  the  southeast  angle  of  the  camp.  Additional 


ORGANIZATION    AND    PROMOTIONS,  COMPANY    15.  21 

musters  were  made  on  September  9,  three  men ;  on  September  1 1 , 
seven  men;  on  September  16,  '21  and  24,  each  one  additional; 
completing  the  aggregate  number  for  a  company,  one  hundred  and 
one,  officers  and  men.  Private  Henry  Melius  having  deserted,  on 
August  30,  the  evening  after  being  mustered,  there  was  an  additional 
man  mustered,  on  November  13,  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

The  company  was  furnished  with  every  necessary  outfit,  mid 
received  arms  from  the  Schuylkill  arsenal  soon  after  being  mustered, 
and  entered  actively  upon  the  work  of  preparation  for  service.  The 
first  promotion  in  the  company  was  that  of  Corp.  James  T.  Skiles, 
to  be  quarter-master  sergeant,  who  was  transferred  to  the  non-com 
missioned  staff,  on  October  29,  1861,  he  having  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  that  position  immediately  after  being  mustered  into  the 
service.  To  fill  this  vacancy,  Private  Malachi  Happersctt  was  ap 
pointed  8th  corporal,  on  December  2,  1861.  2d  Sergt.  D.  H.  Birney 
was  reduced  to  the  ranks,  March  24,  1862.  Sergts.  Hutton,  Boyrr. 
and  Kendig  were  promoted  one  in  grade  respectively,  and  1st  Corp. 
Elisha  Middleton  appointed  5th  sergeant.  Corp.  McCluskey,  being 
promoted  to  1st  corporal,  Corps.  Graham,  DeLaugh,  Ferguson, 
Nichols,  Haines  and  Happersett  were  then  advanced  one  in  grade, 
and  Private  Jacob  G.  Lowry  appointed  8th  corporal.  About  this 
time,  charges  were  preferred  against  Corp.  DeLaugh,  upon  which 
he  was  tried  by  general  court-martial,  found  guilty  and  sentenced 
to  be  dishonorably  discharged  from  the  service,  the  sentence  being 
subsequently  promulgated  and  carried  into  effect  on  May  26,  1862. 
at  Edisto.  S.  C.,  as  prescribed.  The  vacancy  was  filled  April  1. 
1862,  by  regular  promotion  of  the  five  junior  corporals,  and  Private 
William  A.  Deisem  was  promoted  to  be  8th  corporal.  On  April  19, 
1862,  Corp.  Andrew  J.  Graham  was  discharged  on  account  of  an 
accidental  wound  with  loss  of  index  finger  of  right  hand.  2d  Lieut. 
James  Hughes  resigned,  and  was  honorably  discharged,  at  Edisto, 
S.  C.,  on  May  1,  1862.  1st  Sergt.  John  Armstrong  was  then  pro 
moted  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  and  2d  Sergt.  Hutton  to  1st  sergeant. 
Sergts.  Boyer,  Kendig  and  Middleton  were  then  promoted  to  2d,  3d 
and  4th  sergeants,  7th  Corp.  Jacob  G.  Lowry  being  promoted  to 
5th  sergeant,  from  May  1,  1862.  Corps.  Ferguson,  Nichols,  Haines 
and  Happersett  were  also  promoted  to  be  2d,  3d,  4th  and  5th 
corporals,  to  fill  the  vacancies  caused  by  the  discharge  of  2d  Corp. 
Graham.  8th  Corp.  Deisem  was  advanced  to  6th  corporal,  and 
Privates  Gerhard  Reeder  and  Dallas  Crow  promoted  to  be  7th  and 


22  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

8th  corporals.  2cl  Corp.  Robert  Ferguson  died,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  on  May  18,  1862.  The  vacancy  was  filled  by  the  promotion 
of  the  junior  corporals  one  in  grade,  but  no  appointment  was  made 
to  8th  corporal  until  June  1,  1862,  when  there  were  other  vacancies 
to  be  filled.  On  May  26,  1862,  2d  Sergt.  Boyer  was  discharged  at 
Edisto,  S.  C.  3d  Sergt.  Kendig  was  promoted  to  be  2d  sergeant, 
and  5th  Sergt.  Lowry  to  be  3d  sergeant.  On  June  1,  1862,  1st 
Corp.  McCluskey  was  promoted  to  be  5th  sergeant.  2d  Corp.  W  .A. 
Nichols  was  then  promoted  to  1st  corporal,  and  the  other  corporals 
each  advanced  one  in  grade.  Private  David  H.  Birnev  was  now 

* 

promoted  to  7th  corporal,  and  Private  James  M.  Jackson  to  8th 
corporal.  On  November  4,  1862,  1st  Sergt.  Hugh  M.  Hutton  and 
4th  Sergt.  Elisha  Middleton  were  discharged  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 
The  latter  died  on  the  day  of  his  discharge.  2d  Sergt.  Henry 
Kendig,  Jr.,  was  then  promoted  to  be  1st  sergeant;  3d  Sergt.  Lowry 
to  be  2d  sergeant;  1st  Corp.  W.  A.  Nichols  to  be  3d  sergeant  and 
7th  Corp.  David  H.  Birney  re-appointed  4th  sergeant.  The  order 
announcing  these  appointments  was  dated  January  1,  1863,  by 
which  5th  Sergt.  Samuel  McCluskey  was  reduced  to  the  ranks  and 
3d  Corp.  Happersett  was  promoted  to  be  5th  sergeant,  2d  Corp. 
Haines  to  be  1st  corporal,  and  Corps.  Deisem,  Reeder,  Crow  and 
Jackson,  and  Privates  John  F.  Boofter,  Joseph  Stott  and  John  B. 
Griffith  appointed  2d,  3d,  4th,  5th,  6th,  7th  and  8th  corporals, 
respectively.  2d  Lieut.  John  Armstrong,  having  resigned,  was 
honorably  discharged  on  the  18th  of  November,  1862.  Quarter- 
Master  Sergt.  James  T.  Skiles  was  promoted  to  be  2d  lieutenant  on 
December  16,  1862. 

Capt.  William  B.  McCoy  commanded  the  company  until  June  18, 
1863,  when,  owing  to  failing  health,  his  resignation  was  accepted 
and  he  received  an  honorable  discharge,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C., 
and  returned  to  his  home,  where  he  died  of  consumption,  September 
24,  1866.  1st  Lieut.  Jonas  M.  C.  Savage  was  then  promoted  to 
captain,  to  rank  from  June  23,  1863;  2d  Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles 
being  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant.  There  was  no  immediate  pro 
motion  to  2d  lieutenant.  1st  Sergt.  Henry  Kendig,  Jr.,  was  dis 
charged  on  surgeon's  certificate,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  December  9, 
1863.  2d  Sergt.  Lowry  was  then  promoted  to  1st  sergeant  and  was 
soon  after  recommended  for  promotion  to  2d  lieutenant.  There  was 
some  delay,  however,  in  receiving  his  commission.  Meantime,  he 
re-enlisted  as  a  veteran,  with  forty-three  others  of  his  company,  and 


PROMOTIONS   IN   COMPANY    B.  23 

was  subsequently  mustered,  May  20,  18(54,  as  2d  lieutenant,  to 
rank  from  June  23,  1863.  No  appointment  to  1st  sergeant  was 
made  until  May  1,  1864,  when  2d  Scrgt.  Webster  A.  Nichols,  who 
was  acting  1st  sergeant,  was  appointed  to  that  position.  The  sub 
sequent  promotions  of  non-commissioned  officers  are  noted  as  far  as 
could  be  obtained  upon  the  company  roster,  but  cannot  be  given 
here  in  their  order  for  want  of  the  necessary  dates  of  promotion. 
Capt.  Savage  commanded  the  company  until  May  20,  1864,  when 
he  was  severely  wounded  in  action,  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hun 
dred,  Va.  He  was  from  that  time  disabled  from  service,  and  absent 
in  hospital  until  discharged,  October  22,  1864,  on  account  of  wounds 
and  expiration  of  term  of  service.  1st  Lieut.  Skiles  commanded  the 
company  during  a  portion  of  the  operations  before  Petersburg  and 
Richmond,  Va.,  from  May  20  till  November  5,  1864,  when  dis 
charged  at  expiration  of  term  of  service,  being  also  upon  staff  duty 
during  a  portion  of  that  time.  2d  Lieut.  Jacob  G.  Lowry  com 
manded  the  company  during  the  time  1st  Lieut.  Skiles  was  upon 
detailed  duty  before  Petersburg.  He  was  subsequently  placed  in 
arrest,  under  charges  upon  which  he  was  tried  and  convicted  by 
general  court  martial,  and  sentenced  to  be  dishonorably  discharged 
the  service,  by  Special  Order  No.  132,  War  Department,  Adjutant 
General's  Office,  March  18,  1865.  These  vacancies  were  filled  by 
promotion  of  non-commissioned  officers  as  follows:  4th  Sergt.  Dallas 
Crow  to  commissary  sergeant,  September  9,  1864;  to  1st  lieutenant, 
March  1,  1865,  and  to  captain  of  the  company  on  April  4,  1865. 
He  remained  the  commanding  officer  of  the  company  until  the  dis 
charge  of  the  regiment,  August  28,  1865.  Private  David  S.  Harry 
was  promoted  to  corporal,  May  1,  1864;  to  4th  sergeant,  September 
4,  1864;  to  1st  sergeant,  November  1,  1864,  and  to  1st  lieutenant, 
February  1,  1865,  and  held  that  rank  until  discharged  with  the 
company,  August  28,  1865.  Corp.  John  B.  Griffith  was  promoted 
to  sergeant,  October  10,  1864;  to  1st  sergeant,  April  22,  1865;  to 
2d  lieutenant.  May  1,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  as  such  with  the 
company,  August  28,  1865.  Private  Andrew  M.  Strickland  was 
promoted  to  corporal.  November  2,  1864;  to  sergeant,  February  1, 
1865,  and  to  1st  sergeant,  August  1,  1865,  being  mustered  out  as 
such  with  the  company,  August  28,  1865. 

The  men  of  Company  B  were  mostly  such  as  made  efficient  and 
reliable  soldiers,  and  were  generally  kept  in  a  good  state  of  drill  and 
discipline  by  their  officers.  There  were,  however,  some  difficulties 


24  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

experienced,  during  the  summer  of  1863,  that  for  a  time  gave  some 
trouble,  owing  to  a  want  of  proper  management  on  the  part  of  the 
officers  in  dealing  with  a  spirit  of  insubordination  on  the  part  of  a 
few  of  the  men.  These  were  taken  in  hand  by  the  regimental 
commanders,  and  a  careful  examination  had  of  all  the  circumstances, 
resulting  in  a  restoration  of  the  men  to  duty  after  a  suitable  repri 
mand.  They  subsequently  proved  to  be  most  excellent  and  reliable 
men. 

The  company  was  at  the  point  of  attack  by  the  enemy  at  James 
Island,  S.  C.,  on  June  10,  1862,  and  was  a  part  of  the  force  that 
received  and  held  in  check  his  impetuous  advance.  The  officers 
and  men  acquitted  themselves  most  gallantly  under  the  trying 
ordeal  of  a  first  experience  under  fire.  The  men  never  moved  from 
their  position.  Having  emptied  their  cartridge  boxes  on  the  ground, 
they  lay  down  and  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  upon  the  foe,  who  had 
advanced  to  within  a  few  feet  of  them.  The  record  of  the  company, 
during  the  entire  period  of  the  service,  is  one  of  faithful  performance 
of  duty  in  the  field  with  a  promptness  and  bravery  that  rendered 
the  company  reliable  as  a  cover  to  the  left  flank  of  the  Regiment, 
scarcely  second  to  that  which  held  the  right  in  unsurpassed 
efficiency  and  vigilance.  To  particularize  further  in  detail  is  un 
necessary,  the  record  of  the  company  being  identified  thoroughly 
with  the  narrative  of  events  that  make  up  the  history  of  the 
llegirnent,  in  all  of  which  it  participated. 

Of  the  original  number  of  enlisted  men,  forty-three  re-enlisted  for 
the  remainder  of  the  war,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  under  provision  of 
general  orders  of  the  War  Department,  No.  191,  series  of  1863, 
and  No.  25,  of  1864,  and  were  re-mustered  by  1st  Lieut.  M.  V.  B. 
Richardson,  United  States  mustering  officer  of  that  department. 
The  others,  as  the  time  of  service  expired,  were  mustered  out  by 
Capt.  J.  E.  Lord,  and  returned  to  their  homes.  (See  record). 


COMPANY  C,  PAOLI  GUARDS. 

The  third  company,  C,  was  recruited  by  Isaiah  Price,  a  resident 
of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  second  son  of  Benjamin  and  Jane  Price,  of 
East  Bradford,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  prominent  and  consistent  members 
of  the  society  of  Friends.  The  former  (deceased  January  8,  1872) 
was  long  an  elder,  and  the  latter  still  an  approved  minister  in  that 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY   C.  25 

society.  In  the  education  of  their  children  they  had  faithfully 
endeavored  to  instil  with  their  training  a  correct,  appreciation  of 
the  principles  by  which  their  own  lives  had  been  led,  in  exemplary 
obedience  to  the  "light  that  maketh  manifest  the  way  in  which  to 
walk,1'  and  were  also  careful  to  inculcate  the  necessity  for  each 
mind  to  be  true  to  the  requirements  of  duty,  which  might  claim  the 
attention  under  circumstances  of  peculiar  emergency  or  trial,  when 
none  could  judge  one  for  another.  As  a  consequence  of  these  in 
fluences  of  early  training  and  of  association,  until  then,  in  personal 
membership  with  Friends,  the  question  of  duty  presented,  when  the 
rebellion  came,  was  one  of  serious  interest  to  many  hitherto  re 
garded  as  consistent  members  of  that  society.  In  this  instance,  the 
subject  was  one  likely  to  cause  much  anxiety  and  conflict  of  mind 
to  one  reared  in  the  kindest  association  and  sympathy  with  every 
parental  influence,  causing  a  degree  of  hesitation  that  for  a  time 
delayed  a  step  which  it  was  realized  must  bring  great  pain  to  the 
hearts  of  beloved  parents,  whose  anxieties  would  now  follow,  with 
inore  than  usual  solicitude,  the  departure  of  another  son  to  engage 
in  the  duties  and  dangers  of  war,  so  apparently  at  variance  with 
the  influence  of  all  their  early  training.  (Their  third  son  having 
already  gone  to  the  front  with  the  1st  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Reserves.)  They  were,  however,  enabled  to  confide  their  sons  to 
the  care  of  Him  in  whose  hands  are  ever  held  the  lives  of  all,  and 
in  beautiful  faith  they  lived  through  those  years  of  peril  and  trial, 
sending  forth  the  influence  of  their  prayers  and  their  hopes  for  the 
preservation  of  their  children,  and  for  others,  also,  from  every  danger 
and  from  all  evil.  They  were  permitted  to  receive  both  their  sons 
again  at  the  end  of  the  war,  with  grateful  hearts  that  their  prayers 
had  been  answered. 

When  the  culmination  of  disaster  came,  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  the 
matter  of  duty  was  decided  as  paramount  to  all  other  considerations. 
As  a  preparatory  qualification  for  duty,  when  its  imperativeness 
should  be  fully  recognized,  I.  Price  had  joined  a  company  of  home 
guards,  the  Gray  Reserves,  organized  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  in 
April,  1861,  commanded  by  Capt.  William  B.  Waddell,  now  a  State 
Senator  from  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  (1873).  The  company  was  armed 
with  Enfield  rifles,  provided  by  the  borough  of  West  Chester,  and 
immediately  entered  upon  a  course  of  drill  and  discipline  that  very 
soon  resulted  in  a  commendable  degree  of  proficiency  in  the  various 
movements  of  company  and  battalion  drill,  the  manual  of  arms,  etc. 


26  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Of  this  company  he  was  appointed  a  corporal,  and  omitted  no 
opportunity  for  acquiring  the  practical  advantages  of  drill  and  dis 
cipline  with  his  company. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  1861,  the  first  and  second  companies 
of  Col.  Guss'  Regiment  were  in  process  of  organization,  and  efforts 
were  being  made  to  have  other  companies  started. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Henry  W.  Carruthers,  Esq.,  called 
upon  I.  Price,  at  his  office,  in  West  Chester,  with  a  request  from 
Col.  H.  R.  Guss  for  an  interview  with  him  at  his  residence,  Mr. 
Carruthers  stating,  at  the  same  time,  that  it  was  the  desire  of  the 
colonel  to  have  Mr.  Price  recruit  a  company  for  his  Regiment. 
This  proposition  was  so  unexpected,  so  entirely  beyond  any  idea 
entertained  of  qualification  for  a  responsibility  so  great,  as  to  be 
deemed  quite  impossible  of  acceptance.  Mr.  Carruthers  was,  there 
fore,  assured  that,  in  response  to  Col.  Guss'  kind  confidence,  the 
matter  would  be  considered  in  the  possibility  of  accepting  the  less 
responsible  trust  of  a  lieutenancy.  In  the  interview  with  Col. 
Guss,  which  followed,  he  urged  the  acceptance  of  his  original  pro 
position,  upon  the  ground  of  his  own  judgment  in  the  matter  of 
qualification,  stating  some  points  which  he  regarded  as  of  more 
primary  importance  than  mere  military  training. 

The  proposition  of  Col.  Guss  was  eventually  accepted,  when  the 
following  letter,  addressed  to  whom  it  may  concern,  authorized 
Capt.  Price  to  commence  recruiting  his  company: 

WEST  CHESTER,  PA.,  August  21,  1861. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  authorized  Mr.  Isaiah  Price,  of  this  borough, 
to  recruit  a  company  for  the  Chester  County  Regiment,  and  would 
bs  pleased  if  you  could  lend  him  your  counsel  and  aid  in  the  matter. 
Mr.  Price  is  a  gentleman  of  character,  and  is  an  energetic,  attentive 
man.  Those  in  your  vicinity  who  desire  to  enter  the.  service  of  their 
country  will  find  Mr.  Price  reliable. 

Very  truly,  yours,  HENRY  R.  Guss, 

On  August  22,  a  message  from  Col.  Guss  informed  Capt.  Price 
that  some  young  men  were  at  the  Green  Tree  Hotel,  who  desired 
to  see  him.  He  was  then  introduced  to  Mr.  Emmor  G.  Griffith, 
and  several  others,  from  the  vicinity  of  Warren  Tavern  post  office, 
in  Chester  Valley.  They  were  members  of  a  company  of  home 
guards,  Mr.  Griffith  being  1st  lieutenant  of  the  company.  There 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY    C.  27 

had  been  an  effort  to  have  the  company  enter  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  but  there  not  being  sufficient  unanimity  among  its 
members,  those  who  were  desirous  of  entering  the  service  had 
determined  to  join  Col.  Guss'  regiment.  They  had  come  to  West 
Chester  for  that  purpose,  and  signified  their  willingness  to  enlist 
in  Capt.  Price's  company.  Their  names  being  the  first  appended 
to  his  list  of  recruits,  are  here  given:  Emmor  G.  Griffith,  East 
Whiteland;  Stephen  H.  Eachus,  David  X.  Ruth,  Willistown; 
Samuel  A.  March,  Alexander  Beck,  Joseph  M.  Lewis,  East  White- 
land;  Henry  Weidner,  Charlestown;  Franklin  T.  Eppright,  Levi 
Keeley,  William  I).  Thomas,  East  Whiteland;  Joseph  It.  Acker. 
Joseph  Kuglcr,  Tredyffrin. 

It  was  then  stated  that  there  were  others  in  that  neighborhood 
desirous  of  enlisting,  and  it  was  proposed  to  call  a  meeting  at  the 
old  Mennonite  meeting  house,  then  known  as  the  Flat  school  house, 
in  Chester  Valley,  of  which  public  notice  was  given,  inviting  all  to 
be  present  who  were  desirous  of  enlisting  in  the  service.  The  meet 
ing  was  held  on  the  evening  of  August  28,  1861,  at  which  there 
was  a  large  number  in  attendance.  Some  eloquent  and  stirring 
remarks  were  made  by  Dr.  F.  Taylor,  of  West  Chester,  presenting 
the  necessity  of  the  call  of  the  government  for  troops.  Remarks 
were  also  made  by  several  of  those  who  had  joined  Capt.  Price's 
company,  and,  some  reference  being  made  to  the  home  guard 
company,  it  became  evident  that  some  of  the  members  of  that  or 
ganization  were  regarding  the  meeting  as  an  effort  to  dismember  the 
company.  An  officer  of  that  company,  upon  obtaining  the  floor, 
endeavored  to  explain  the  status  of  the  company  and  its  action, 
and  deprecated  any  effort  to  enlist  the  men  of  his  company  by 
others.  Capt.  Price,  upon  being  presented  to  the  meeting,  expressed 
his  regret  that  a  misapprehension  should  exist  in  the  minds  of  any 
in  regard  to  the  purpose  of  the  meeting.  He  had  been  invited  to 
meet  at  this  place  all  persons  in  the  vicinity  who  were  desirous  of 
immediately  entering  the  service  of  the  United  States.  He  had 
been  informed  that  there  were  a  number  in  this  neighborhood,  and 
he  was  here  to  present  them  with  an  opportunity  of  so  doing.  If, 
however,  there  was  an  organized  company  here,  whose  officers  were 
desirous  of  entering  the  service  with  their  men,  he  would  not  ask 
a  man  to  leave  that  company;  but  would,  on  the  contrary,  urge  its 
officers  to  enlist  these  men  and  invite  the  company  to  join  the  regi 
ment  of  Col.  Guss. 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

After  the  meeting,  several  names  were  added  to  the  list  of  recruits. 
Capt.  Price  subsequently  visited  various  localities  in  the  vicinity  of 
Chester  Valley,  accompanied  by  Lieut.  Emmor  G.  Griffith,  adding 
daily  to  the  list  of  recruits.  A  meeting  was  also  held  at  the  Leopard 
Inn,  in  Williston  township,  which  was  largely  attended  and  was 
addressed  by  Dr.  Franklin  Taylor,  E.  P.  Needles,  Esq.,  and  others, 
several  recruits  being  obtained.  He  also  visited  Chatham,  New 
London,  Oxford  Borough,  and  other  places  in  the  county.  At  Ox 
ford,  he  attended  a  harvest  home  celebration,  at  which  Capt. 
Waddell's  company  of  Gray  Reserves  was  present  for  parade  and 
target  practice,  making  a  very  favorable  impression  by  their  pro 
ficiency  in  drill,  manoeuvres,  firing,  etc.,  and  for  their  remarkably 
well  conducted  behavior. 

At  the  meeting,  Capt.  Price,  in  some  brief  remarks,  called 
attention  to  the  efforts  being  made  to  obtain  recruits  for  the  97th 
Regiment,  and  invited  those  present,  who  were  desirous  of  entering 
the  service,  to  join  that  regiment,  stating  that  he  desired  not  to 
pursuade  any  one  to  enlist — that  each  should  be  guided  in  the 
matter  from  a  sense  of  duty — and  he  would  use  not  a  single  argu 
ment  to  induce  any  to  assume  otherwise  so  serious  a  responsibility. 
From  this  locality  the  list  of  recruits  was  largely  increased. 

Having  notified  his  recruits  that  the  first  muster  would  be  had 
on  the  llth  day  of  September,  1861,  Capt.  Price  appointed  the  ren 
dezvous  at  the  Green  Tree  Hotel,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.  They  then 
proceeded  to  the  armory  of  the  National  Guard,  on  Church  Street, 
West  Chester,  where  the  surgeon  of  the  Regiment,  Dr.  J.  R.  Ever- 
hart,  made  a  personal  examination  of  the  recruits  in  accordance 
with  the  regulations  of  the  service.  Fifty-four  men  were  passed  for 
muster  and  then  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  for 
three  years,  by  Capt.  G.  Pennypacker,  mustering  officer  for  the  Regi 
ment,  with  Henry  W.  Carruthers,  Esq.,  as  1st  lieutenant,  Capt.  Price 
and  2d  Lieut.  Emmor  G.  Griffith  awaiting  muster  until  the  number 
of  men  should  reach  an  aggregate  of  eighty-three.  When  the 
muster  was  completed,  Capt.  Price  marched  the  company  to  quar 
ters  in  Camp  Wayne.  It  occupied  the  sheds  from  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  grounds  along  Rosedale  Avenue,  toward  the  east. 
Lumber  had  been  furnished  by  the  quarter  master  for  making  the 
quarters  tenantable  by  the  men,  and  tools  furnished  for  the  work. 
The  men  had  arranged  themselves  in  squads  according  to  their  ac 
quaintance  and  desire  to  associate.  Straw  had  also  been  provided, 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY   C.  29 

and  the  men  had  brought  with  them  overcoats  and  blankets  for  use 
until  clothing,  etc.  could  be  issued.  Before  night,  provisions  had 
been  issued,  and  everything  under  way  of  preparation  to  provide  for 
the  comfort  of  the  men  in  camp. 

On  September  16,  twelve  men  were  mustered;  on  the  17th, 
nine  more;  and  on  the  18th,  seven,  making  the  number  eighty-one, 
sufficient  to  complete  the  company,  at  the  minimum  standard,  by 
the  muster  of  ('apt.  Price  and  2d  Lieut.  Einmor  G.  Griffith,  en 
titling  the  company  to  rank  third  in  the  Regiment,  and  to  be  de 
signated  Company  C,  with  the  honor  of  bearing  the  colors  during 
the  service,  attaining  the  position  just  two  days  in  advance  of  the 
next  company  organization.  The  militia  name  adopted  by  the 
company  was  the  Paoli  Guards,  in  compliment  to  the  first  list  of 
recruits  to  join  the  company  from  that  historic  locality.  On  the 
'21st  of  September,  fifteen  men  were  added  to  the  company,  and  on 
the  '23d  the  company  was  completed  by  the  muster  of  three  men, 
making  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  one,  officers  and  men. 

Requisitions  had  been  previously  made  for  the  requisite  clothing, 
camp  and  garrison  equipage,  which  were  furnished  from  the  Quarter- 
Master's  Department,  at  Philadelphia,  the  invoices  being  signed 
by  Col.  G.  H.  Crossman,  Deputy  Quarter-Master  General,  and  by 
Col.  W.  R.  Gibson,  Pay-Master  U.  S  A.  and  acting  military  store 
keeper,  and  by  C.  A.  Alligood,  military  storekeeper  U.  S.  A.,  the 
entire  outfit  of  the  company  being  completed  between  September 
21  and  October  15.  Arms  were  furnished  by  Col.  T.  J.  Treadwell, 
1st  Lieutenant  of  Ordnance  at  the  Frankford  arsenal,  and  for 
warded  by  Col.  G.  H.  Crossman,  Deputy  Quarter-Master  General, 
consisting  of  ninety-eight  muskets  of  the  old  pattern  having  been 
altered  to  percussion  locks.  They  were  received  at  Camp  Wayne 
on  September  23,  1861. 

There  had  been,  from  the  day  of  muster,  regular  drill  hours 
established,  the  men  being  divided  into  squads  for  exercise  in  the 
step  and  the  march,  facings,  etc.,  under  the  direction  of  Lieut. 
Carruthers.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  muster,  the  following  non 
commissioned  officers  had  been  appointed,  September  18,  1861: 
1st  sergeant,  Isaac  Smedley;  2d  sergeant,  Francis  J.  Eachus;  3d 
sergeant,  John  D.  Beaver;  4th  sergeant,  Joseph  R.  Acker;  5th 
sergeant,  William  Gardiner;  1st  corporal,  Gerritt  S.  Hambleton; 
2d  corporal,  Stephen  H.  Eachus;  3d  corporal,  Joseph  M.  Lewis; 
4th  corporal,  Henry  Kauffman,  Jr.;  5th  corporal,  Richard  B.  Moore; 


30  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

6th  corporal,  Hibberd  Aitkin;  7th  corporal,  Samuel  W.  Hawley; 
8th  corporal,  Isaac  A.  Cleaver.  To  prepare  the  men  for  company 
drill,  these  officers  were  placed  in  charge  of  squads  for  instruction 
and  practice  in  the  preliminary  movements,  so  that  by  the  time 
the  arms,  etc.,  were  received,  they  had  attained  very  creditable 
progress,  and  were  then  instructed  in  the  manual  of  arms;  the 
day  being  divided  into  periods  for  the  different  movements ;  a  por 
tion  being  devoted  to  drill  in  squads  without  arms,  a  portion  to  the 
manual,  in  squads,  and  a  portion  to  company  drill  in  the  step  and 
the  march,  and  later  in  the  manual  by  the  company  and  the  march 
under  arms ;  allowing  periods  -of  rest  and  recreation  ample  enough 
to  avoid  weariness  to  the  men.  The  subsequent  narration  of 
events  at  Camp  Wayne  will  be  left  for  what  is  said  in  general  of 
the  Eegiment  while  at  that  locality. 

1st  Lieut.  Carruthers  having  been  designated  by  Col.  Guss  for 
the  position  of  adjutant  of  the  Regiment,  he  was,  therefore,  de 
tached  from  Company  C,  and  mustered  as  adjutant,  by  Col.  C.  F. 
Ruff,  United  States  mustering  officer,  October  31,  1861.  On 
November  4,  2d  Lieut.  Emmor  G.  Griffith  was  promoted  to  1st 
lieutenant,  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  was  mustered  as  such  on  No 
vember  5,  1861,  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  mustering  officer  for  the 
Regiment.  It  being  understood  that  the  men  of  the  company 
would  be  permitted  to  designate  their  choice  for  promotion  to  the 
2d  lieutenancy,  a  vote  was  taken,  when  it  was  found  that  5th 
Sergt.  William  Gardiner  had  received  a  majority  of  the  votes  of 
the  company,  whereupon  he  was  appointed  2d  lieutenant  and  sub 
sequently  duly  commissioned.  He  was  mustered  as  2d  lieutenant 
on  November  5,  1861,  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker. 

1st  Corp.  Gerritt  S.  Hambleton  was  then  promoted  to  be  5th 
sergeant  of  the  company,  and  the  remaining  corporals  advanced 
one  in  grade,  Stephen  H.  Eachus  being  1st  corporal.  Private  John 
Y.  McCarter  was  appointed  8th  corporal,  to  rank  from  November 
5,  1861. 

-  On  November  4,  1861,  William  Wollerton,  Esq.,  an  Associate 
Judge  of  the  county  of  Chester,  upon  the  application  of  the  parents 
of  William  Shingle  (an  alleged  minor),  enlisted  in  Company  C, 
issued  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  directed  to  the  company  commander, 
requiring  him  to  produce  the  soldier  before  him,  for  a  hearing,  on 
November  5,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.  Capt.  Price  appeared  with  the 
recruit  at  the  hour  named,  and  made  answer  that  he  held  the 


VACANCIES   AND   PROMOTIONS   IN   COMPANY   C.  31 

soldier  upon  a  regular  and  voluntary  enlistment  into  the  United 
States  service,  he  having  stated  his  age  to  be  eighteen  years,  that 
his  parents  knew  of  his  coming  to  enlist  and  made  no  objection 
thereto.  His  parents,  however,  claimed  that  his  age  was  only 
seventeen  years,  and  manifested  great  unwillingness  to  his  enlist 
ment,  The  lad  was  equally  anxious  to  serve  his  country  in  the 
company.  The  Judge,  however,  decided  upon  his  discharge  on  the 
ground  of  minority. 

While  at  Camp  Wayne,  Private  James  J.  Wilson,  in  wrestling, 
fractured  the  small  bone  of  his  leg,  near  the  ancle.  He  received 
prompt  attention  from  Surgeons  Everhart  and  Miller,  and  was 
treated  with  great  care  and  attention  by  his  comrades  at  the 
hospital.  The  accident  cast  a  feeling  of  regret  over  the  men,  which 
tended  to  moderate  the  enjoyment  of  feats  of  agility  and  tests  of 
strength  in  the  camp.  He  regained  the  use  of  his  limb  before  the 
Regiment  was  ordered  to  march,  much  to  his  own  gratification,  as 
he  had  suffered  as  much  from  the  fear  of  being  left  behind  as  he  did 
from  his  hurt. 

After  being  in  camp  a  few  weeks,  Corp.  Hibberd  Aitkin  was 
taken  ill,  with  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  and  was  removed  to  his 
home,  where  lie  remained  when  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to 
Washington,  being  unable  to  leave  his  bed.  He  continued  to  de 
cline — notwithstanding  he  received  the  best  medical  care  and  at 
tention — until  the  16th  of  July,  1862,  when  he  died.  His  absence 
from  the  company  and  subsequent  death  were  most  deeply  felt  by 
his  comrades,  with  whom  he  had  become  a  great  favorite  for  his 
genial,  lively  and  social  disposition,  which,  by  its  gentle  and  win 
ning  influence,  had  endeared  him  to  all. 

The  death  of  5th  Sergt.  Gerritt  S.  Hambleton,  on  the  30th  of 
January,  1862,  which  is  more  particularly  noticed  in  the  narrative 
of  the  Regiment,  was  also  a  most  serious  loss  to  the  company.  His 
qualities  and  services,  in  the  brief  period  of  the  voyage  to  Hilton 
Head,  had  become  recognized  as  unobtrusive  and  most  efficient  to  a 
degree  that  made  each  member  of  the  company,  and  of  the  Regi 
ment,  so  far  as  his  intercourse  extended,  his  earnest  friend.  This 
'loss  was  quickly  followed  by  that  of  Private  Joseph  R.  McKinley, 
who  died  on  board  the  transport  Boston,  in  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga., 
during  the  siege  of  Fort  Pulaski,  of  ship  fever,  February  1,  1862. 
Within  a  very  few  days,  2d  Lieut.  Gardiner  was  also  prostrated 
by  the  same  disease,  and  died  on  the  19th  of  February.  This  sue- 


34  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

ment  of  2d  Corp.  John  Y.  McCarter  to  hospital  steward.  To  fill 
vacancies,  the  remaining  corporals  were  advanced  in  grade  as  they 
occurred;  and,  on  May  6,  the  following  additional  appointments 
were  made,  by  order  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  in  Special  Order  No,  13: 
Private  C.  Burleigh  Hambleton  to  6th  corporal,  to  rank  from 
January  22,  1863;  Private  Maris  Peirce  to  7th  corporal,  to  rank 
from  February  8,  1863;  Private  M.  Davis  Thomas  to  8th  cor 
poral,  to  rank  from  April  1,  1863.  Owing  to  failing  health,  2d 
Lieut.  Isaac  Smedley  had  tendered  his  resignation,  on  March  9, 
which,  being  accepted  in  April,  created  a  vacancy  in  the  line.  To 
fill  this,  1st  Sergt.  Henry  Kauffman  was  appointed  2d  lieutenant,  to 
rank  as  such  from  March  9,  1863.  The  four  remaining  sergeants 
were  advanced  one  in  grade,  the  order  promoting  them  and  filling 
the  vacancy  being  dated  July  1,  1863.  2d  Sergt.  J.  D.  Beaver 
was  released  from  duty  as  color  bearer  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  1st 
sergeant;  1st  Corp.  Isaac  A.  Cleaver  was  appointed  5th  sergeant; 
2d  Corp.  B.  L.  Kent  was  promoted  to  1st  corporal;  the  six  re 
maining  corporals  were  advanced  one  in  grade,  and  Private  Jesse  D. 
Farra  was  promoted  to  8th  corporal;  on  February  29,  1864,  1st 
Corp.  B.  L.  Kent  was  discharged  to  re-enlist  as  veteran;  he  was 
re-appointed  3d  corporal  on  same  date. 

The  next  vacancy  in  the  company  officers  was  caused  by  the  pro 
motion  of  Capt.  Price  to  major,  to  rank  from  April  3,  1864.  This 
was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Adjt.  H.  W.  Carruthers,  formerly 
1st  lieutenant  of  Company  C,  to  be  captain.  These  commissions 
were  not  received  until  June  6,  1864,  when,  owing  to  the  absence 
of  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  on  account  of  wounds,  these  officers 
could  not  be  mustered  until  his  return  and  muster  as  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  Regiment.  On  May  18,  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Va.,  2d  Sergt.  Isaac  Acker  was  killed,  and  4th  Corp.  R.  B.  Wilson 
and  7th  Corp.  M.  Davis  Thomas  were  mortally  wounded.  The  latter 
died  on  May  24  and  the  former  on  the  25th.  On  May  28,  the  3d, 
4th  and  5th  sergeants  were  advanced  to  2d,  3d  and  4th  sergeants, 
respectively,  and  1st  Corp.  B.  L.  Kent  was  appointed  5th  sergeant; 
2d  and  3d  Corps.  Miller  and  Beidler  were  promoted  to  1st  and  2d 
corporals;  5th  and  6th  Corps.  Hambleton  and  Peirce  were  pro 
moted  to  3d  and  4th  corporals,  and  8th  Corp.  Farra  to  5th  corporal; 
Privates  J.  J.  Dewees,  L.  R.  Thomas  and  G.  W.  Abel  were  promoted 
to  6th,  7th  and  8th  corporals,  respectively.  On  August  16,  1864, 
Capt.  H.  W.  Carruthers  was  mortally  wounded  in  action,  at  Straw- 


VACANCIES    AND    PROMOTIONS    IN    COMPANY    C.  35 

berry  Plains,  Va.,  from  which  he  died  on  August  22,  1864.  There 
was  no  immediate  promotion  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Corp.  L.  R. 
Thomas  was  appointed  quarter-master  sergeant,  September  1,  1864, 
vice  Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  Taggart,  and  transferred  to  non-commissioned 
staff. 

As  the  term  of  service  of  the  original  officers  and  men  expired, 
from  September  11  to  21,  they  were  mustered  out  by  Capt.  T.  E. 
Lord,  and  returned  home,  except  1st  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus,  against 
whom  charges  were  pending  for  trial  before  court-martial,  and  three 
non-commissioned  officers  and  seven  privates,  who  had  re-enlisted  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  in  accordance  with  general  orders  of  the  War 
Department,  No.  191,  series  of  1863,  and  No.  25,  of  1864.  Of 
these,  Sergt.  Kent,  having  applied  for  promotion  in  the  United 
States  colored  troops,  was  ordered  to  report  to  the  superintendent 
of  recruiting  service  for  duty  in  the  Department  of  the  Southwest, 
about  the  end  of  August,  having  received  notice  of  his  being  ap 
pointed  to  a  captaincy  in  the  13th  U.  S.  II y.  Art.  (colored  troops). 
He  was,  however,  not  discharged  and  re-mustered  until  the  17th  of 
April,  1865,  owing  to  the  arbitrary  and  unjust  conduct  of  the  colonel 
of  the  Regiment,  but  having  vigorously  endeavored  to  obtain  his 
muster,  it  was  ordered  by  Special  Order  No.  47,  Head-Quarters  De 
partment  of  Kentucky.  Capt.  Kent  encountered  and  overcame  the 
most  persistent  and  systematic  injustice,  on  the  part  of  the  com 
manding  officer  of  the  Regiment,  to  prevent  his  muster,  by  assigning 
the  men  obtained  by  him  to  other  companies,  so  as  to  reap  the  ad 
vantage  of  his  success  in  recruiting  himself.  Capt.  Kent  finally 
presented  himself  before  the  proper  authorities,  with  a  sufficient 
number  of  men,  and  was  duly  mustered  as  captain  of  Company  E, 
13th  Regiment,  before  reporting  with  his  men  to  the  colonel,  other 
wise  he  would  have  been  still  further  delayed  and  prevented,  from 
drawing  the  pay  due  to  rc-imburse  the  heavy  expenses  incurred  for 
the  recruiting  service  out  of  his  own  means. 

Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  Leonard  R.  Thomas  was  promoted  to  2d  lieu 
tenant,  September  23,  1864,  vice  Kauft'man,  term  expired.  About 
the  same  time,  Corp.  Abel  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  and  to  1st 
sergeant;  Private  Warren  to  corporal  and  to  2d  sergeant;  and 
Private  Showalter  to  3d  sergeant.  Privates  Thomas  Clark  and 
William  Hammill,  drafted,  Francis  Hoffman  and  Cyrus  M.  Davis, 
veterans,  were  the  first  corporals  appointed  after  the  discharge  of 
the  former  non-commissioned  officers.  Among  the  men  assigned  to 


36  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  Regiment,  October  20,  1864,  were  two  Polanders,  who  claimed 
to  be  officers  in  the  Polish  army,  one  a  captain  and  the  other  a 
lieutenant,  who  desired  to  serve  in  our  army  for  the  advantage  of 
its  drill  and  discipline.  These  men,  Casper  Slabowski  and  Albert 
Lesczzynski  were  appointed  corporals,  and  subsequently  sergeants  of 
the  company,  being  discharged  with  the  Regiment  in  that  rank. 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1864,  1st  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus  was 
discharged.  The  court-martial  before  which  he  was  tried,  having 
found  him  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred,  had  sentenced  him  to 
be  dishonorably  discharged  from  the  service;  but,  pending  the 
promulgation  of  the  sentence,  upon  his  earnest  application,  Col. 
Pennypacker  interposed  no  objection  to  his  being  mustered  out  of 
service,  upon  his  claim  of  expiration  of  service,  which  was  accord 
ingly  done,  by  Capt.  T.  E.  Lord,  on  the  above  date.  To  fill  this 
vacancy,  2d  Lieut.  Leonard  R.  Thomas  was  promoted,  the  date  of 
his  appointment  being  November  1,  1864.  No  other  promotions 
followed  until  after  the  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 

On  February  1,  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  was  promoted  to  captain; 
1st  Scrgt.  George  W.  Abel  to  1st  lieutenant;  2d  Sergt.  Warren 
to  1st  sergeant.  On  February  1,  Capt.  Thomas  was  promoted  to 
major,  vice  Martin,  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel;  his  commission 
was  not  received  until  June;  he  was  not  mustered  as  major.  1st 
Lieut.  Abel  received  promotion,  same  date,  to  captain,  but  was 
not  mustered.  On  May  1,  1st  Sergt.  Charles  Warren  was  promoted 
to  2d  lieutenant,  and  on  June  1  to  1st  lieutenant,  but  was  not 
mustered.  On  same  date,  Sergt.  C.  B.  Showalter  was  promoted  to 
1st  sergeant  and  to  2d  lieutenant,  but  was  not  mustered.  The  only 
remaining  promotions  were  those  of  Corps.  Hammill,  Davis,  Sla 
bowski  and  Lesczzynski  to  sergeants.  The  dates  of  promotion  of 
Corps.  Hammill  and  Davis  were  recorded  as  July  1  and  26,  1865, 
respectively;  of  the  others  no  dates  could  be  found.  Corp.  Clark 
was  killed,  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  January  15,  1865,  and  Corp. 
Hoffman  was  transferred  to  Company  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  June  24, 
1865.  The  following  named  privates  were  appointed  corporals; 
Isaac  Rodgers  and  James  H.  Quinby,  date  of  appointment  unknown ; 
both  were  discharged,  by  general  order,  on  June  5  and  28,  1865, 
respectively;  Thomas  H.  Bastian,  substitute,  appointed  corporal 
April  1,  1865,  was  discharged  by  general  order,  June  23,  1865; 
George  J.  Switzer,  drafted,  promoted  to  corporal  June  26,  1865; 
John  Latch  and  Henry  H.  Stiteler,  veterans,  were  promoted  to 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY    I).  37 

corporals,  July  1,  1865;  Joseph  Brown  and  Daniel  W.  Clcmmer, 
drafted,  promoted  to  eorporals;  no  date  given.  The  five  last  named 
were  all  mustered  out  with  the  company. 


COMPANY  1),  CONCORDYILLE  RIFLES. 

The  fourth  company  of  the  97th  Regiment  was  recruited  by 
William  S.  Mcndenhall,  of  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware  County,  Pa. 
He  was  descended  from  a  family  of  English  Quakers,  who  emi 
grated  to  America  during  the  persecutions  of  that  people  in  Eng 
land,  and  settled  in  Concord,  Delaware  County,  contemporary  with 
the  William  Penn  settlers  in  Pennsylvania.  Two  brothers,  Moses 
and  Robert  Mendenhall,  and  a  sister,  who  married  a  Mr.  West, 
and  was  the  mother  of  Benjamin  West,  the  celebrated  painter,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers,  from  whom  sprung  a  numerous  family. 
Their  descendants,  for  several  generations,  were  landed  proprietors 
in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  leading  the  quiet  life  of  Friends, 
well-to-do  and  respected.  Caleb  Mendenhall,  grandfather  of  Wil 
liam,  married  a  Miss  Taylor,  of  Wresttown,  of  whom  were  born  two 
sons  and  five  daughters.  They  lived  near  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware 
County.  Their  youngest  son,  J.  Taylor  Mcndenhall,  married  Miss 
Julia  Speakman,  daughter  of  William  Speakman,  of  Dilworthtown. 
The  eldest  son  of  this  marriage  was  William  S.  Mendenhall,  born  at 
the  historic  locality  of  Chadd's  Ford,  October  13,  1830.  At  the 
death  of  his  parents,  when  about  five  years  of  age,  he  went  to  reside 
with  his  Grandfather  Speakman,  who  sent  him  regularly  to  school 
until  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  wrhen  the  death  of  his  grandfather 
occurred.  He  then  found  a  home  with  Mr.  James  Cloud,  of  Con- 
cordville,  Delaware  County,  where  he  remained,  going  to  school 
occasionally,  until  near  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  found  a  place 
in  the  office  of  Hon.  Nimrod  Strickland,  editor  of  the  "  American 
Republican,"  at  West  Chester,  Pa.  About  a  year  after,  when  the 
Mexican  War  broke  out,  young  Mendenhall,  fired  with  patriotic 
ardor,  volunteered  under  the  call  of  President  Polk,  in  December, 
1846,  for  ten  new  regiments  to  reinforce  the  army  in  Mexico.  He 
joined,  and  was  appointed  a  corporal  in  Capt.  C.  J.  Biddle's  company, 
in  Philadelphia,  which  was  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Bra/os  San 
tiago,  in  February,  1847.  It  was  then  assigned  to  the  1st  Regiment 
U.  S.  Voltigeurs,  under  command  of  Col.  F.  P.  Andrews,  with 


36  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  Regiment,  October  20,  1864,  were  two  Polanders,  who  claimed 
to  be  officers  in  the  Polish  army,  one  a  captain  and  the  other  a 
lieutenant,  who  desired  to  serve  in  our  army  for  the  advantage  of 
its  drill  and  discipline.  These  men,  Casper  Slabowski  and  Albert 
Lesczzynski  were  appointed  corporals,  and  subsequently  sergeants  of 
the  company,  being  discharged  with  the  Regiment  in  that  rank. 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1864,  1st  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus  was 
discharged.  The  court-martial  before  which  he  was  tried,  having 
found  him  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred,  had  sentenced  him  to 
be  dishonorably  discharged  from  the  service;  but,  pending  the 
promulgation  of  the  sentence,  upon  his  earnest  application,  Col. 
Pcnnypacker  interposed  no  objection  to  his  being  mustered  out  of 
service,  upon  his  claim  of  expiration  of  service,  which  was  accord 
ingly  done,  by  Capt.  T.  E.  Lord,  on  the  above  date.  To  fill  this 
vacancy,  2d  Lieut.  Leonard  R.  Thomas  was  promoted,  the  date  of 
his  appointment  being  November  1,  1864.  No  other  promotions 
followed  until  after  the  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 

On  February  1,  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  was  promoted  to  captain; 
1st  Sergt.  George  W.  Abel  to  1st  lieutenant;  2d  Sergt.  Warren 
to  1st  sergeant.  On  February  1,  Capt.  Thomas  was  promoted  to 
major,  vice  Martin,  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel;  his  commission 
was  not  received  until  June;  he  was  not  mustered  as  major.  1st 
Lieut.  Abel  received  promotion,  same  date,  to  captain,  but  was 
not  mustered.  On  May  1,  1st  Sergt.  Charles  Warren  was  promoted 
to  2d  lieutenant,  and  on  June  1  to  1st  lieutenant,  but  was  not 
mustered.  On  same  date,  Sergt.  C.  B.  Showalter  was  promoted  to 
1st  sergeant  and  to  2d  lieutenant,  but  was  not  mustered.  The  only 
remaining  promotions  were  those  of  Corps.  Hammill,  Davis,  Sla 
bowski  and  Lesczzynski  to  sergeants.  The  dates  of  promotion  of 
Corps.  Hammill  and  Davis  were  recorded  as  July  1  and  26,  1865, 
respectively;  of  the  others  no  dates  could  be  found.  Corp.  Clark 
was  killed,  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  January  15,  1865,  and  Corp. 
Hoffman  was  transferred  to  Company  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  June  24, 
1865.  The  following  named  privates  were  appointed  corporals: 
Isaac  Rodgers  and  James  H.  Quinby,  date  of  appointment  unknown ; 
both  were  discharged,  by  general  order,  on  June  5  and  28,  1865, 
respectively;  Thomas  H.  Bastian,  substitute,  appointed  corporal 
April  1,  1865,  was  discharged  by  general  order,  June  23,  1865; 
George  J.  Switzer,  drafted,  promoted  to  corporal  June  26,  1865; 
John  Latch  and  Henry  H.  Stiteler,  veterans,  were  promoted  to 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY    D.  37 

corporals,  July  1,  1865;  Joseph  Brown  and  Daniel  W.  Clemmer, 
drafted,  promoted  to  corporals;  no  date  given.  The  five  last  named 
were  all  mustered  out  with  the  company. 


COMPANY  I),  CONCORDVILLE  RIFLES. 

The  fourth  company  of  the  97th  Regiment  was  recruited  by 
William  S.  Mendenhall,  of  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware  County,  Pa. 
He  was  descended  from  a  family  of  English  Quakers,  who  emi 
grated  to  America  during  the  persecutions  of  that  people  in  Eng 
land,  and  settled  in  Concord,  Delaware  County,  contemporary  with 
the  William  Penn  settlers  in  Pennsylvania.  Two  brothers,  Moses 
and  Robert  Mendenhall,  and  a  sister,  who  married  a  Mr.  West, 
and  was  the  mother  of  Benjamin  West,  the  celebrated  painter,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers,  from  whom  sprung  a  numerous  family. 
Their  descendants,  for  several  generations,  were  landed  proprietors 
in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  leading  the  quiet  life  of  Friends, 
well-to-do  and  respected.  Caleb  Mendenhall,  grandfather  of  Wil 
liam,  married  a  Miss  Taylor,  of  Westtown,  of  whom  were  born  two 
sons  and  five  daughters.  They  lived  near  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware 
County.  Their  youngest  son,  J.  Taylor  Mendenhall,  married  Miss 
Julia  Speakman,  daughter  of  William  Speakman,  of  Dilworthtown. 
The  eldest  son  of  this  marriage  was  William  S.  Mendenhall,  born  at 
the  historic  locality  of  Chadd's  Ford,  October  13,  1830.  At  the 
death  of  his  parents,  when  about  five  years  of  age,  he  went  to  reside 
with  his  Grandfather  Speakman,  who  sent  him  regularly  to  school 
until  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  the  death  of  his  grandfather 
occurred.  He  then  found  a  home  with  Mr.  James  Cloud,  of  Con- 
cordville,  Delaware  County,  where  he  remained,  going  to  school 
occasionally,  until  near  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  found  a  place 
in  the  office  of  Hon.  Nimrod  Strickland,  editor  of  the  "  American 
Republican,"  at  West  Chester,  Pa.  About  a  year  after,  when  the 
Mexican  War  broke  out,  young  Mendenhall,  fired  with  patriotic 
ardor,  volunteered  under  the  call  of  President  Polk,  in  December, 
1846,  for  ten  new  regiments  to  reinforce  the  army  in  Mexico.  He 
joined,  and  was  appointed  a  corporal  in  Capt.  C.  J.  Biddle's  company, 
in  Philadelphia,  which  was  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Brazos  San 
tiago,  in  February,  1847.  It  was  then  assigned  to  the  1st  Regiment 
U.  S.  Voltigeurs,  under  command  of  Col.  F.  P.  Andrews,  with 


38  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  E.  Johnson  and  Majs.  Talbot  and  Caldwell,  all 
of  the  U.  S.  A.  He  participated  with  his  regiment  in  the  siege  of 
Vera  Cruz,  under  Gen.  Scott,  and  with  Gen.  Cadwalader,  in  the 
battles  of  Cerro  Gordo,  Jalapa,  Perote  and  Puebla,  and  in  assisting 
to  keep  open  communication  between  Vera  Cruz  and  Puebla; 
afterwards,  in  the  valley  of  the  city  of  Mexico;  at  the  battle  of 
Contreras,  August  20,  1847;  at  Buena  Vista,  Cherubusco,  and 
Molino  del  Rey,  September  11;  and  at  Casa  del  Mata,  where  he 
was  wounded  in  the  right  foot;  on  the  13th  of  September,  at  the 
fierce  storming  of  Chepultepec,  the  key  to  the  gates  of  Mexico,  he 
was  again  slightly  wounded  in  the  head,  and  was  with  the  final 
assault  upon  the  last  defences  of  the  city  and  the  triumphal  entrance 
into  the  Mexican  capital  He  remained  with  the  army  of  occupa 
tion  until  after  the  conclusion  of  peace,  July  4,  1848.  His  regi 
ment  left  Mexico,  in  October,  and  was  disbanded  at  Fort  McHenry, 
Baltimore,  November,  1848. 

After  an  honorable  discharge,  and  with  the  commendation  of  his 
officers  for  faithful  services,  he  returned  to  West  Chester,  being  then 
about  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  discovery  of  gold  in  California, 
during  the  winter  of  184S,  having  attracted  his  attention,  he  joined 
a  company  of  adventurers  known  as  the  Philadelphia  Mining  Com 
pany.  Their  vessel,  the  Clarissa  Perkins,  sailed  in  January,  1849. 
After  a  tedious  and  eventful  voyage  around  Cape  Horn,  they  arrived 
at  San  Francisco,  having  been  out  eight  months  and  fourteen  days. 

The  city  at  that  time  was  a  motley  collection  of  tents  and  houses, 
property  of  every  description  being  strewn  about  without  owners, 
people  having  abandoned  all  and  emigrated  to  the  mines.  This  com 
pany  followed  the  example  in  eager  haste  to  reach  the  El  Dorado. 
After  a  varied  experience  at  the  mines  on  Sacramento  and  Ameri 
can  Rivers,  attended  by  little  success,  he  joined  Col.  Fremont's  ex 
ploring  party  for  Southern  California,  in  the  Fall  of  1849,  but,  pur 
sued  by  hostile  Indians,  the  party  returned  to  winter  at  Long  Gulch 
and  engaged  in  mining  successfully.  He  remained  in  California 
until  the  summer  of  1858,  continued  mining  at  various  places,  and 
was  connected  with  prospecting  parties  in  exploring,  while  a  wilder 
ness,  most  of  the  places  that  have  since  become  noted  towns  and 
cities  peopled  with  numerous  inhabitants,  prosperous  in  the  products 
of  adventurous  enterprise  and  wealth.  He  was  also  active  in  the 
organization  of  companies  of  mounted  men  for  defence  against 
hostile  Indians,  who  resisted  the  presence  of  the  white  man  in  his 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY    D.  39 

native  wilds.  The  narration  of  these  adventures,  affording  material 
and  interest  for  a  volume,  would  be  too  extensive  for  the  present 
sketch.  After  ten  years  of  pioneer  life,  with  its  attendant  hardships 
and  exposures,  Mr.  Mendenhall  returned  to  the  Atlantic  States  in 
the  summer  of  1858.  The  next  two  years  were  spent  in  traveling 
through  the  Northern  and  Southern  States.  During  1860,  he  was 
in  Texas  and  Alabama,  while  Yancey,  llhett  and  others  were 
firing  the  Southern  heart,  and  was  present  when  the  secession  de 
claration  of  the  Montgomery  convention  was  received  with  the 
wildest  joy  by  the  people.  The  firing  upon  Maj.  Anderson,  at  Fort 
Sumter;  the  attack  of  the  Alabama  State  troops  on  Mount  Vernon 
Island  and  the  forts  of  Mobile  harbor,  and  the  treachery  of  Gen. 
Twiggs,  in  Texas,  events  following  in  such  rapid  succession,  deter 
mined  the  patriotic  young  democrat  to  choose  sides  in  the  coming 
conflict  involving  the  life  of  his  country. 

Quietly  making  his  arrangements,  he  resolved  to  proceed  north 
by  the  first  opportunity.  This  he  effected,  arriving  at  Wilmington, 
Del.,  in  time  to  join  the  1st  Delaware  Regiment  (three  months'  vo 
lunteers),  under  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln  for  seventy-five 
thousand  men,  on  April  26,  1801.  The  regiment  was  commanded 
by  Col.  H.  H.  Lockwood,  and  was  by  the  War  Department  sta 
tioned  upon  duty  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore 
Railroad,  from  Havre  de  Grace  to  Baltimore,  to  guard  the  road  and 
bridges  from  interruption  and  keep  open  the  line  of  communication 
to  Washington  during  the  gathering  of  the  army.  The  regiment 
was  disbanded,  at  the  expiration  of  the  three  months'  service,  at 
Wilmington,  August  7,  1861. 

Upon  his  return,  at  the  end  of  that  service,  with  the  1st  Dela 
ware  Regiment,  W.  S.  Mendenhall  was  solicited,  by  several  of  his 
Delaware  acquaintances,  to  form  a  company  for  the  three  years' 
service,  in  which  his  Delaware  County  friends  also  joined,  and, 
having  received  from  Col.  Guss  authority  to  recruit  a  company  for 
the  97th  Regiment,  he  determined  to  canvass  in  Delaware  County, 
with  head-quarters  at  Concordville.  Within  a  few  days,  over  fifty 
men  signed  the  roll  of  his  company,  which  was  called  the  Concord 
ville  Rifles,  in  honor  of  his  boyhood  home.  A  meeting  was  called, 
at  Media,  on  August  23,  1861,  to  organize  the  company  and  select 
its  officers.  It  was  held  at  the  office  of  Jesse  L.  Cummins,  Esq. 
The  day  being  very  wet  the  attendance  was  not  large.  The  pro 
ceedings  are  here  given: 


40  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

MEDIA,  PA.,  August  23,  1861. 

The  persons  enrolled  for  the  formation  of  a  company  of  volunteers 
to  form  a  part  of  the  regiment  being  organized  by  Col.  Henry  R. 
Guss,  of  West  Chester,  met,  pursuant  to  notice,  in  Media,  this 
evening.  Mr.  Jesse  L.  Cummins  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Dr. 
G.  B.  Hotchkins  appointed  secretary  of  the  meeting.  The  roll 
being  called,  the  following  persons  answered  to  their  names:  Wil 
liam  S.  Mendenhall,  Concord ville ;  George  W.  Williams,  Crozier- 
ville;  Isaac  Fawkes,  Dil  worth  to  wn ;  Charles  H.  Hannum,  Philip  E. 
Hannum,  Concordville;  Stephen  W.  Cloud,  David  M.  Cloud,  Lewis 
C.  Cloud,  Henry  H.  Cloud,  Harmon  B.  Cloud,  John  Jordan,  Wil 
mington,  Del.;  Isaac  B.  Hannum,  John  Sheen,  Michael  Karney, 
Jesse  Walters,  William  H.  Larkin,  Concord;  Joseph  Russell,  Bir 
mingham;  Samuel  Parker,  Lenni;  Charles  S.  Cloud,  John  F.  Cloud, 
Crozierville. 

After  some  discussion  in  reference  to  the  small  attendance  ol 
the  persons  enrolled,  it  was  resolved  to  proceed  with  the  organiza 
tion.  Nominations  for  officers  were  then  made  as  follows:  for 
captain,  William  S.  Mendenhall;  for  1st  lieutenant,  George  W. 
Williams  and  Isaac  Fawkes;  for  2d  lieutenant,  Isaac  Fawkes  and 
Charles  H.  Hannum. 

William  S  Mendenhall  was  elected  captain  by  acclamation.  On 
balloting  for  1st  lieutenant,  George  W.  Williams  received  fifteen 
votes  and  Isaac  Fawkes  five  votes.  George  W.  Williams  was  de 
clared  elected  1st  lieutenant.  On  balloting  for  2d  lieutenant,  Isaac 
Fawkes  received  seven  votes,  and  Charles  H.  Hannum  thirteen 
votes.  Charles  H.  Hannum  was  declared  duly  elected  2d  lieute 
nant.  Charles  H.  Hannum  then  arose  and  declined  the  office, 
stating  he  believed  Mr.  Fawkes  more  capable  of  performing  the 
duties  of  that  office,  and  moved  the  re-nomination  of  Isaac  Fawkes. 
On  motion,  his  proposition  was  accepted,  and  Isaac  Fawkes  was 
declared  unanimously  elected  2d  lieutenant. 

On  motion,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  unanimously  given  to  the  officers 
of  the  meeting  for  their  services,  and  to  Mr.  James  R.  Cummins  for 
a  bountiful  supper  given  to  the  company  present,  and  for  the  use  of 
his  office  for  the  meeting.  Also  to  Mr.  Charles  H.  Hannum  for  his 
patriotic  conduct  in  giving  up  a  valuable  office  for  the  best  good  of 
the  company. 

[Signed]  J.  L.  CUMMINS,  Pres't. 

G.  B.  HOTCHKINS,  Sec'y. 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY    D.  41 

This  mooting  having  effected  the  organization,  the  enrollment 
proceeded  rapidly,  after  some  stirring  appeals  posted  throughout  the 
county  and  in  the  papers.  It  was  found  necessary  to  establish  a 
permanent  rendezvous,  where  the  enrolled  men  might  be  supplied 
with  subsistence  and  quarters  until  arrangements  were  made  for 
their  muster  into  the  service.  Thirty-six  men  were  collected  and 
occupied  quarters  in  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester,  about  September 
1,  1861.  The  sheds  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  camp  were  fixed  up 
for  barracks.  Provisions,  cooking  utensils,  and  blankets  for  tem 
porary  use,  were  supplied  through  the  generosity  of  the  citizens  of 
West  Chester. 

The  first  muster  was  had  on  September  6,  1861,  when  1st  Sergt. 
Henry  Odiorne  and  thirty-nine  men  were  mustered  into  the  service, 
at  Camp  Wayne,  by  Capt.  G.  Pennypacker. 

On  September  9,  1st  Lieut.  George  W.  \Villiams,  of  Crozierville, 
who  had  materially  assisted  in  recruiting  the  company,  was  mus 
tered,  by  the  same  officer,  with  thirteen  additional  men.  On 
the  llth,  there  was  a  muster  of  six  men;  on  the  16th,  ten  men; 
on  the  18th,  two  men;  on  the  19th,  three  men;  on  -the  20th, 
Capt.  Mendenhall  and  2d  Lieut.  Isaac  Fawkes,  with  six  additional 
men  were  mustered,  making  an  aggregate  of  eighty-three,  officers 
and  men,  completing  the  organization  at  the  minimum  number  and 
giving  the  captain  fourth  place  in  rank  of  company  officers.  On 
September  21,  four  additional  men  were  mustered;  on  the  23d,  seven 
men;  on  the  24th,  five  men,  and  on  the  28th,  two  men;  making  the 
aggregate  of  one  hundred  and  one,  officers  and  men. 

The  non-commissioned  officers  then  designated  were:  1st  ser 
geant,  Henry  Odiorne;  2d  sergeant,  Charles  H.  Hannum;  3d 
sergeant,  Samuel  McBride;  4th  sergeant,  John  E.  Davis;  5th  ser 
geant,  Isaac  B.  Taylor;  1st  corporal,  David  W.  Odiorne;  2d  corporal, 
Stephen  W.  Cloud;  3d  corporal,  Wilbur  F.  Flannery;  4th  corporal, 
James  A.  Allen;  5th  corporal,  William  H.  Snyder;  6th  corporal, 
William  McCarty;  7th  corporal,  David  M.  Cloud;  8th  corporal, 
Robert  Fairlamb. 

To  fill  vacancies,  caused  by  discharge  and  desertions  at  Camp 
Wayne,  there  were  subsequent  musters  as  follows:  on  October  17, 
one  man;  October  26,  one  man;  November  4,  one  man,  and 
November  13,  two  men;  making  the  entire  muster  for  the  company, 
at  West  Chester,  three  commissioned  officers  and  one  hundred  and 
three  men;  total,  one  hundred  and  six. 


42  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

For  this  company,  and  those  previously  organized,  the  number 
could  have  been  largely  increased,  beyond  the  limit,  from  the 
numerous  applications  after  they  were  filled.  Many  of  these  appli 
cants  subsequently  entered  other  companies.  Two  men  deserted 
from  Camp  Wayne  and  were  not  retaken.  Two  were  discharged, 
for  disability,  in  October,  1861. 

On  October  12,  1861,  the  company  was  invited  to  a  reception  by 
the  citizens  of  Concordville,  Delaware  Co.,  and  marched  from  West 
Chester,  at  9  A.  M.,  taking  the  West  Chester  and  Wilmington 
plank  road,  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  to  Concordville,  arriving  at 
11  A.  M.,  where  the  company  was  heartily  welcomed  by  a  large 
concourse  of  citizens  assembled  to  greet  them. 

Several  prominent  citizens  addressed  the  command  in  patriotic 
speeches,  which  were  replied  to  by  Capt.  Mendenhall  and  others  of 
the  company,  pledging  the  fidelity  of  the  entire  command  to  the 
country  in  her  time  of  peril  and  need.  Much  enthusiasm  was  mani 
fested.  The  men  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  dinner,  at  1  P.  M., 
under  the  shade  trees.  The  repast  was  furnished  by  the  ladies  of 
the  vicinity,  who  vied  with  each  other  in  attentions  to  the  gallant 
men,  many  of  whom  were  never  to  return  to  revisit  the  scene  of 
this  most  cordial  welcome,  the  remembrance  of  which  lived  as  a 
green  spot  in  the  recollections  of  home  during  the  years  of  peril, 
hardship  and  suffering  that  followed  in  the  field. 

After  dinner,  the  company  paraded  and  drilled  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all  present.  About  4.30  P.  M.,  they  set  out  on  their  return 
march,  in  the  midst  of  a  rain  storm,  giving  nine  hearty  cheers 
for  the  people  of  Concordville  and  its  vicinity  for  their  royal  wel 
come.  After  a  march  of  three  miles,  the  company,  well  drenched 
with  the  rain,  reached  Cheyney's  Station,  on  the  West  Chester  and 
Philadelphia  Railroad,  where  they  took  cars  for  West  Chester, 
arriving  at  Camp  Wayne  about  6.30  P.  M.,  wet  and  tired  but 
greatly  gratified  with  one  of  the  most  pleasant  days  in  the  history  of 
the  company. 

A  few  days  after  the  events  just  noticed,  Capt.  Mendenhall's 
Concordville  friends  made  him  a  present  of  a  handsome  Colt's 
revolver  as  a  testimonial  of  their  esteem,  which  he  carried  through 
the  entire  service. 

The  time  in  Camp  Wayne  was  spent  in  constant  drill  and  exer 
cise,  preparing  the  men  for  service  in  the  field.  About  October  3, 
the  company  was  armed,  uniformed  and  equipped  for  active  service, 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY   D.  43 

the  arms  being  the  smooth-bore  percussion  muskets,  received  from 
the  Bridesburg  arsenal.  The  average  ages  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  Company  D  was  twenty-one  years,  many  having  a  youthful  ap 
pearance.  It  was  remarked  by  William  Whitehead,  Esq.,  who 
administered  the  oath  of  enlistment  to  the  first  forty  men  on  the 
enrollment  list,  "  That  the  men  looked  young  for  soldiers."  Capt. 
Mendenhall  replied,  "They  are  the  best  material  for  soldiers;  they 
will  develop  into  hardy  tough  men."  Before  the  close  of  the  war, 
his  observation  proved  correct,  as  the  hardiest  men  of  the  company 
were  the  youngest. 

About  the  18th  of  October,  Capt.  Mendenhall  appealed  to  the 
people  of  Concord  and  of  Delaware  County,  soliciting  their  aid 
in  procuring  an  outfit  of  rubber  blankets  to  protect  his  men  in 
the  winter  campaign.  A  meeting  was  called  at  Concord ville  and  a 
subscription  list  started.  By  the  earnest  endeavors  of  Hon.  Wil 
liam  Gamble,  Mrs.  Dr.  Pennock,  and  a  host  of  other  friends,  the 
company  was  furnished  with  a  complete  outfit  of  rubber  blankets 
before  their  departure  for  the  field  of  duty.  The  roster  of  Com 
pany  D,  in  another  part  of  this  work,  sets  forth  the  record  of  each 
man,  so  far  as  could  be  obtained  from  every  available  source,  and 
will  show  the  promotions  in  each  grade  as  far  as  was  possible  to  ob 
tain  the  dates  of  promotion.  The  personal  remarks  in  the  company 
roster,  enclosed  in  brackets,  are  taken  from  a  record  roll,  furnished 
by  Capt.  Mendenhall,  and  are  given  without  any  intention  of 
making  invidious  distinction. 

About  the  1st  of  December,  1863,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  fifty  men 
of  Company  D  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  in  conformity  with  terms  of 
general  orders  of  the  War  Department,  Washington,  D.  C.,  No. 
191,  series  of  1863.  They  were  subsequently  re-mustered  by  1st 
Lieut.  M.  V.  B.  Richardson,  A.  C.  M.  Dept.  South,  to  date  from 
enrollment,  December  1,  1863.  They  returned  home,  with  the 
veterans  of  the  Regiment,  upon  veteran  furlough  of  thirty  days, 
under  command  of  Capt.  W.  S.  Mendenhall,  starting  from  Fernan 
dina,  Fla.,  on  the  27th  of  March,  1864.  The  account  of  the  return 
is  given  in  the  narrative  of  the  Regiment. 

From  a  tabular  statement,  furnished  by  Capt.  Mendenhall,  of  the 
casualties  in  his  company,  the  following  summary  is  taken:  Total 
number  mustered  at  Camp  Wayne,  three  officers  and  one  hundred 
and  three  men;  total,  one  hundred  and  six.  Of  the  enlisted  men, 
three  deserted  and  two  were  discharged  at  West  Chester.  At  the 


44  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

end  of  the  war,  of  the  officers  and  men  originally  enlisted,  there  had 
been  killed  two  commissioned  officers  and  fourteen  enlisted  men; 
wounded,  two  commissioned  officers  and  thirty  enlisted  men;  died 
from  wounds,  four  enlisted  men;  discharged  for  wounds,  three  en 
listed  men;  died  from  sickness,  nine  enlisted  men;  discharged  for 
disability,  one  commissioned  officer  (resigned),  and  twelve  enlisted 
men;  transferred,  one  enlisted  man;  discharged,  at  the  expiration 
of  service,  one  commissioned  officer,  two  sergeants,  seven  corporals 
and  sixteen  privates;  one  recruit,  received  May  1,  1864;  total  ac 
counted  for,  one  hundred  and  seven,  officers  and  men.  Of  the  fifty 
re-enlisted  veterans,  included  in  above  account,  nine  were  killed, 
two  died  of  wounds,  one  was  captured,  wounded  and  died  in  rebel 
prison,  nineteen  were  wounded,  one  discharged  for  wounds,  one 
transferred  and  seventeen  not  injured;  total,  fifty.  These  losses 
occurred  chiefly  before  the  expiration  of  the  original  term  of  service. 
Of  the  twenty-three  drafted  men  assigned  to  the  company,  at  Fer- 
nandina,  Fla.,  two  were  killed,  seven  wounded,  four  discharged  for 
wounds,  eight  deserted  and  two  were  transferred. 


COMPANY  E,  MULLIGAN  GUARDS. 

Company  E  was  recruited  by  William  McConnell,  a  naturalized 
citizen  of  the  United  States,  born  in  Caven  Co.,  Ireland,  about  the 
year  1827.  He  received  an  excellent  education  at  a  college  in 
Londonderry.  He  emigrated  to  this  country,  with  other  members 
of  his  family,  about  the  year  1848,  settled  in  Philadelphia,  and  was 
engaged  in  a  mercantile  house  as  clerk  and  book-keeper.  After  a 
few  years,  he  went  to  New  York,  where,  in  1852,  he  married  Eliza 
Jane  Jephson,  of  that  city.  He  soon  afterwards  found  employment 
as  a  house  painter.  He  then  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and  about 
1853  removed  to  West  Chester,  Pa.,  where  he  followed  the  oc 
cupation  of  painting,  with  diligence  and  success,  for  several  years 
previous  to  the  war.  He  became  an  active  member  of  the  National 
Guards,  and  was  a  thoroughly  drilled  soldier.  He  had  received  an 
appointment  as  a  non-commissioned  officer  in  his  company,  and  was 
noted  for  accuracy  and  precision  in  the  various  movements  of  the 
drill,  etc. 

When  his  company,  commanded  by  Capt.  H.  R.  Guss,  marched  to 
Harrisburg,  in  April,  1861,  to  enter  the  three  months'  service,  with 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY    E.  45 

a  sufficient  number  of  men  enrolled  to  organize  three  companies, 
he  was  appointed  1st  sergeant  of  Company  E,  9th  Regiment  P.  V., 
and  served  in  that  capacity  during  the  term,  an  account  of  which 
is  elsewhere  given. 

Upon  the  return  and  muster  out  of  the  9th  Regiment,  at  I  larris- 
Imrg,  July  29,  1861,  Sergt.  McConnell  was  authorized,  by  Col.  H. 
R.  Guss,  to  recruit  a  company  for  his  Regiment.  Upon  this  duty 
he  entered  with  energy  and  determination,  about  the  5th  of  August, 
1861,  and  soon  began  to  realize  success.  The  men  he  enlisted  were 
chiefly  naturalized  citizens,  of  his  native  land,  residents  of  Chester 
County,  who  espoused  the  cause  of  their  adopted  country  in  her 
conflict  with  treason.  They  generally  made  sturdy,  reliable  soldiers, 
efficient  in  the  field  of  battle  and  in  the  arduous  trench  duty  that 
became  so  largely  the  experience  of  the  Regiment  during  the  war. 

On  September  9,  1861,  the  first  muster  for  the  company  was 
made,  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  of  thirty  men;  on  the  llth,  nine 
men  were  mustered;  on  the  14th,  one  man;  on  the  15th,  two  men; 
on  the  16th,  ten  men;  on  the  18th,  seven  men;  on  the  2()th,  one 
man;  on  the  2lst,  three  men;  on  the  23d,  six  men;  on  the  24th,  one 
man,  an  aggregate  of  seventy  men,  when  John  W.  Babb,  of  West 
Chester,  was  mustered  as  1st  lieutenant  of  the  company.  On  the 
2()th  of  September,  Capt.  McConnell  collected  his  men,  sixty  having 
been  mustered,  and  occupied  the  barracks  on  the  eastern  side  of 
Camp  Wayne.  Additional  musters  were  made  each  day,  as  recruits 

were  enlisted.     On  2d  of  October,  the  number  had  reached  eighty- 

.' 

two,  when  Capt.  McConnell  was  mustered,  and  the  company  desig 
nated  as  Company  E,  97th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  it  being  the 
sixtli  company  organized.  John  McGrath,  of  West  Chester,  was 
also  mustered,  on  the  2d  of  October,  as  2d  lieutenant.  The  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers  were  as  follows:  captain,  William 
McConnell,  West  Chester;  1st  lieutenant,  John  W.  Babb,  West 
Chester;  2d  lieutenant,  John  McGrath,  West  Chester;  1st  sergeant, 
James  McWilliatns;  2d  sergeant,  Samuel  D.  Smith;  3d  sergeant, 
James  Coughlin;  4th  sergeant,  John  McNamee;  5th  sergeant, 
Patrick  Carter;  1st  corporal,  George  L.  Smith;  2d  corporal, 
Edward  Corcoran;  3d  corporal,  George  Jenkins;  4th  corporal, 
Bernard  McDermott;  5th  corporal,  William  Glanding;  Gth  corpo 
ral,  James  O.  Day;  7th  corporal,  John  Sullivan;  8th  corporal, 
William  H.  Spicer;  musicians,  Charles  Riley,  Jr.,  and  Hugh 
O'Donnell,  Jr.;  wagoner,  Jonathan  Pine. 


46  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  militia  name  adopted  by  the  company  was  Mulligan  Guards. 
The  company  was  filled  to  the  maximum  number,  October  29,  seven 
teen  men  having  been  mustered  subsequent  to  October  2;  on  No 
vember  8  and  December  26,  two  additional  men  were  mustered  to 
fill  vacancies  from  desertions.  One  of  these,  enlisted  by  1st  Lieut. 
Taylor,  of  Company  H,  joined  the  company,  at  Warsaw  Sound, 
Ga.,  July  15,  1862.  On  February  10,  1862,  another  recruit,  Francis 
Carter,  was  enlisted  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  and  forwarded  to  the  com 
pany  with  other  recruits ;  he  was  subsequently  promoted  to  corporal, 
re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  volunteer,  in  February,  1864;  was  captured 
in  action,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  16,  1864;  was  prisoner  until 
December  21,  1864,  and  died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  December  30, 
1864,  while  a  paroled  prisoner  of  war.  The  men  of  Company  E 
were  of  a  hearty,  robust  physique,  and  many  of  them,  after  re 
ceiving  the  benefit  of  careful  training  by  Capt.  McConnell  and  his 
officers,  made  very  good  soldiers;  but  the  climate  of  the  South 
proved  more  disastrous  to  this  company  than  to  some  of  the  others, 
the  men  seeming  to  be  more  subject  to  the  chills  and  with  prevalent 
tendency  to  chronic  diarrhoea.  Those  who  remained  able  for  duty 
were  very  effective  soldiers,  both  in  the  field  and  at  fatigue  duty 
upon  the  lines  of  intrenchment  and  earthworks. 

On  April  26,  1862,  1st  Lieut.  John  H.  Babb  resigned,  on  account 
of  failing  health  from  climatic  influence.  2d  Lieut.  John  McGrath 
was  then  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  and  4th  Sergt  John  McNamee 
was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant.  He  served  until  May  9, 1863,  when 
he  resigned,  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  surgeon's  certificate 
of  disability.  1st  Sergt.  James  Me  Williams  was  then  promoted  to 
2d  lieutenant.  At  Fernandina,  Fla.,  in  February,  1864,  twenty-six 
men  of  Company  E  re-enlisted  as  veterans  and  went  home  on  fur 
lough  for  thirty  days.  The  names  of  these  men  appear  on  the 
company  roster  marked  "  Vet." 

Owing  to  failing  health,  from  exposure  during  the  'arduous  duties 
in  the  Department  of  the  South,  Capt.  McConnell  was  honorably 
discharged,  April  28,  1864,  when  the  Regiment  reached  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  en  route  to  join  Gen.  Butler's  command,  at  Gloucester 
Point,  Va.  He  returned  home  and  became  somewhat  improved  in 
health,  but  he  never  fully  recovered.  He  died  at  his  home,  in  West 
Chester,  Pa.,  August  14,  1866,  of  hemorrhage  of  bowels,  resulting 
from  the  effects  of  long  prostration  from  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Upon  the  resignation   of  Capt.   McConnell,  there  was  no  pro- 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY   F.  47 

motion  to  fill  the  vacancy.  1st  Lieut.  McGrath  commanded  the 
company  for  a  time;  but,  being  detailed  upon  duty  in  the  quarter 
master  and  commissary  departments,  the  company  was  mostly  com 
manded  by  2d  Lieut.  Me  Williams  until  his  discharge,  November  3, 
1864.  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath  was  discharged  on  account  of  ex 
piration  of  term  of  service,  November  10,  1864.  The  original  men 
of  the  company,  who  had  not  re-enlisted,  were  discharged  as  their 
terms  of  service  expired,  and  returned  to  their  homes,  being  fur 
nished  with  transportation  to  the  place  of  enlistment. 

1st  Sergt.  Samuel  D.  Smith  was  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant, 
December  6,  1864,  and  commanded  the  company  during  the  re 
mainder  of  the  service.  He  was  commissioned  and  mustered  as 
captain  of  the  company,  May  1,  1865,  and  continued  its  com 
manding  officer  until  mustered  out,  August  28,  1865.  On  May  1, 
1st  Sergt.  John  C.  Nicholson  was  mustered  as  1st  lieutenant  and 
Sergt.  John  Sullivan  as  2d  lieutenant.  These  officers  were  mustered 
out  with  the  company,  August  28,  1864,  having  received  their  pro 
motion  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 

There  has  been  no  complete  record  found  of  the  dates  of  pro 
motions  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  from  which  a  correct  list 
could  be  made,  or  it  would  have  been  given.  It  is  believed  that 
the  roster  of  the  company  will  show  the  names  of  all  who  were  thus 
promoted,  in  the  different  grades,  but  some  dates  are  necessarily 
omitted. 


COMPANY  F,  NATIONAL  GUARDS. 

The  sixth  company  of  the  97th  Regiment  was  recruited  by  De 
Witt  Clinton  Lewis,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.  His  paternal  grand 
father,  Phineas  Lewis,  born  in  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  was  the  son  of  a 
Welsh  emigrant,  James  Lewis,  who  came  to  this  country  previous 
to  the  Revolution.  He  became  a  soldier  in  the  American  army  and 
served  during  the  War  of  Independence.  The  grandmother  of 
Capt.  Lewis,  also  of  Welsh  descent,  was  one  of  the  survivors  of  the 
massacre  at  Wyoming,  having  escaped  by  drifting  down  the  Susque- 
hanna,  the  night  after,  in  a  flat-boat.  His  grandfather,  on  his 
mother's  side,  Patrick  McKennin,  a  Scotch-Irishman,  who  came  to 
this  country  before  the  Revolution,  also  became  a  soldier  in  the 
American  army  and  served  during  the  war.  He  was  wounded  at 


48  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  battle  of  Brandywine.  He  died  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
Mary,  his  wife,  was  a  German  girl,  who  came  to  this  country  when 
quite  young,  and  was  sold  by  the  captain  .of  the  vessel,  for  payment 
of  her  passage,  as  was  often  the  case  at  that  period. 

Capt.  Lewis'  father  was  Benjamin  Lewis,  of  Chester  Co.,  Pa., 
somewhat  extensively  known  as  a  school  teacher,  and,  during  the 
last  few  years  of  his  life,  engaged  at  Gause's  Academy,  on  the 
Brandywine,  near  Marshalton.  He  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years.  His  mother,  Margaret  (McKennin)  Lewis,  was  born  in 
Chester  Co.,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  DC  W.  C. 
Lewis  was  born  near  West  Chester,  Pa.,  on  the  30th  of  July,  1822. 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  lived  with  the  family  of  Joseph 
Taylor,  father  of  Bayard  Taylor,  during  the  boyhood  of  the  poet, . 
until  sixteen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
carpenter  with  Samuel  Way,  at  West  Chester,  Pa.  Having  a  liking 
for  a  military  life,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  joined  a  volunteer 
company  in  West  Chester,  called  the  National  Grays,  commanded 
by  Capt.  William  Apple.  He  continued  an  active  member  until  the 
company  was  disbanded,  in  1842. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  in  1846,  he  joined, 
as  one  of  its  first  members,  a  company  called  the  National  Guards, 
raised  by  Capt.  William  Apple,  who  had  commanded  the  National 
Grays.  The  company  was  designed  to  form  a  part  of  the  State 
quota,  tendered  its  services  and  was  accepted  by  the  State  authori 
ties  and  designated  as  a  part  of  the  3d  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  but  was  not  called  into  active  service.  The  company 
continued  its  organization,  Mr.  Lewis  remaining  an  active  member 
until  the  rebellion  occurred,  it  being  the  same  company  of  which 
Capt.  H.  R.  Guss  became  the  commanding  officer,  in  June,  1859. 

When  the  services  of  the  company  were  accepted,  for  the  three 
months'  term,  in  April,  1860,  Mr.  Lewis  marched  with  it,  as  a 
private  soldier,  to  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and,  upon  the  organization  of 
two  other  companies  of  the  men  enlisted  by  Capt.  Guss,  Mr.  Lewis 
was  elected  1st  lieutenant  of  Capt.  James  F.  Andrews'  Company  E, 
in  the  9th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  with  the 
company  until  its  discharge,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  July  29,  1861.  He 
then  returned  to  West  Chester  with  his  discharged  comrades.  On 
August  4,  1861,  Lieut.  Lewis  received  authority,  from  Col.  H.  R. 
Guss,  to  recruit  a  company  for  his  Regiment,  and  soon  after  entered 
upon  the  work  of  enlistment.  By  the  23d  of  September,  he  had 


ORGANIZATION    OF    COMPANY    F.  49 

fifty-six  mm  enrolled,  who  were,  on  that  day,  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  with  Joseph 
T.  Burnett,  of  West  Chester,  as  1st  lieutenant.  These  recruits,  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Burnett,  after  being  mustered,  went  into  quarters 
in  Camp  Wayne,  and  occupied  the  barracks  on  the  north  side  of 
the  camp,  from  the  east  corner,  adjoining  the  quarters  of  the  guard 
established  at  the  entrance.  On  the  3d  of  October,  having  a  suffi 
cient  number  of  men  enlisted,  the  remaining  officers  were  then 
mustered  into  the  service  by  Maj.  Pennypacker:  De  W.  C.  Lewis, 
as  captain,  and  Oliver  E.  Strickland,  of  West  Chester,  as  2d  lieute 
nant,  and  the  company  designated  Company  F,  97th  Regiment  P. 
V.  The  militia  name  adopted  by  the  company  was  the  National 
Guards,  after  the  former  company  of  which  ("apt.  Lewis  and  several 
of  the  men  had  been  members. 

The  company  was  filled  to  the  maximum  number  about  the  15th 
of  October,  1861.  The  men  were  mostly  residents  of  Chester 
county.  They  received  the  usual  outfit  of  clothing,  etc.,  soon  after 
being  mustered,  and  the  camp  and  garrison  equipage  was  fur 
nished  when  the  company  was  fully  organized.  Arms  were  not  issued 
to  Company  F,  at  Camp  Wayne,  the  company  having  been  per 
mitted  to  use  those  belonging  to  the  Old  National  Guards,  of 
West  Chester,  while  it  remained  at  that  place.  The  same  attention 
to  drill  and  discipline,  and  exercise  in  the  various  preliminary  move 
ments  requisite  to  the  thorough  training  of  the  soldier,  as  has  been 
described  in  regard  to  the  other  companies,  was  also  maintained  by 
Capt.  Lewis  and  his  officers,  in  order  to  prepare  their  men  for  effi 
cient  service  in  the  field. 

The  following  named  were  the  original  non-commissioned  officers 
of  Company  F:  1st  sergeant,  John  Wainwright;  2d  sergeant, 
Thomas  Cosgriff;  3d  sergeant,  John  Kennedy;  4th  sergeant, 
Thomas  B.  Guest;  5th  sergeant,  J.  Elwood  Huntsman ;  1st  corporal, 
Thomas  H.  Short;  2d  corporal,  Lee  A.  Stroud;  3d  corporal,  James 
T.  Terry;  4th  corporal,  Caleb  Mercer;  5th  corporal,  John  Weber; 
6th  corporal,  Daniel  Farrell;  7th  corporal,  James  A.  Fries;  8th 
corporal,  Edward  Townsend;  musicians,  Thomas  St.  John  and  Jesse 
Opperman;  teamster,  James  D.  Roberts.  Eighty-one  privates; 
total,  one  hundred  men. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1862,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  2d  Lieut. 
O.  E.  Stickland  resigned,  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  was 
honorably  discharged.  To  fill  the  vacancy,  1st  Sergt.  John  Wain- 


50  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

wright  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant.  1st  Lieut.  Joseph  T.  Bur 
nett  resigned,  for  the  same  cause,  and  was  honorably  discharged,  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  on  March  9, 1863.  2d  Lieut.  John  Wainwright 
was  then  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant,  and  1st  Sergt.  Thomas  Cos- 
griff  to  2d  lieutenant. 

On  February  29,  1864,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  forty-five  men  of  the 
company  re-enlisted  as  veterans  for  the  war,  and  were  re-mustered 
on  March  15,  1864,  by  1st  Lieut.  M.  V.  B.  Richards,  4th  N.  H.  V. 
A.  C.  M.  Department  of  the  South,  to  rank  from  February  28,  1864, 
and  December  31,  1863,  the  days  previous  to  enrollment  of  the  men 
as  veterans.  Their  names  arc  marked  "  Vet."  on  the  roster  of  the 
Regiment..  These  men  received  a  furlough  of  thirty  days,  and  re 
turned  home  with  the  other  veterans  of  the  Regiment. 

No  other  changes  occurred  in  the  commissioned  officers  of  the 
company  until  the  expiration  of  Capt.  Lewis'  term  of  service,  when 
he  was  honorably  discharged,  September  20,  1864.  Previous  to  his 
discharge,  Capt.  Lewis  was  in  temporary  command  of  Company  A, 
for  a  short  period,  during  the  absence  of  the  officers  of  that  com 
pany,  all  of  whom  had  been  wounded.  On  the  28th  of  August, 
1864,  he  signed  the  muster-out-rolls  of  thirty-one  of  the  original 
men  of  Company  A  whose  term  of  service  had  expired.  Capt. 
Lewis  returned  home,  about  the  end  of  September,  1864,  with  the 
men  of  his  company  whose  terms  had  also  expired. 

1st  Lieut.  John  Wainwright  was  commissioned  captain  of  Com 
pany  F,  to  date  from  November  1,  1864,  but  was  not  mustered,  as 
he  then  desired  to  be  mustered  out  of  service.  2d  Lieut.  Thomas 
Cosgriff  was  mustered  out  of  service,  March  28,  1865,  on  account 
of  expiration  of  term  of  service.  On  February  28,  1865,  Sergt. 
Lewis  P.  Malin  was  commissioned  captain  of  the  company  and 
Sergt.  Isaac  J.  Nichols  as  1st  lieutenant,  both  having  been  pro 
moted  to  corporal  and  to  sergeant  after  re-enlistment  as  veterans. 
They  continued  in  their  respective  commands  until  mustered  out 
with  the  Regiment,  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  August  28,  1865.  On  May 
1,  1865,  John  E.  Huntsman,  5th  sergeant  of  the  company,  who  had 
also  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran,  was  commissioned  as  2d  lieutenant, 
and  continued  to  hold  that  position  until  the  end  of  the  service. 
These  were  well-deserved  promotions  of  faithful  and  brave  soldiers. 
Capt.  Malin,  having  commanded  the  company  at  Fort  Fisher,  had 
received  brevet  promotion  for  gallantry  in  that  action.  The  re 
maining  changes  and  promotions  of  the  non-commissioned  officers 


ORGANIZATION   OF  COMPANY   G.  51 

have  been  noted  as  far  as  ascertained  upon  the  roster,  it  being  found 
difficult  to  obtain  the  exact  order  in  which  they  occurred,  so  as  to 
present  them  in  this  place.  Company  F  was  also  part  of  the  force, 
with  Company  B,  that  received  the  impetuous  attack  of  the  rebel 
advance  upon  our  position,  at  Grimball's  Plantation,  on  June  10, 
1862,  and  vied  with  the  other  troops  present  in  the  stubborn  re 
sistance  that  resulted  in  maintaining  their  ground  and  repulsing  the 
enemy  with  heavy  loss. 

On  October  25,  1862,  Company  F  detailed  a  funeral  escort,  at 
U.  S.  General  Hospital,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  for  Private  J.  Lind,  of 
Company  E,  47th  P.  V.,  and  on  October  28,  1862,  one  for  a 
private  of  Company  F,  47th  P.  V.  On  January  14,  1863,  Com- 
pany  F  was  detailed  on  special  duty  in  engineer's  department,  at  St. 
Helena,  Special  Order  No.  1,  to  report  to  Lieut.  Edwards,  X.  Y. 
Engineers,  Superintendent  of  Construction,  engaged  in  building  a 
wharf  at  St.  Helena,  was  relieved,  February  23,  1863,  and  rejoined 
the  Regiment,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 

On  February  9,  1864,  part  of  Company  F,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Lewis,  embarked  on  the  steamer  Island  City,  and  proceeded 
up  the  Nassau  River,  Fla.,  to  furnish  support  to  Maj.  Pennypacker's 
advance  against  Camp  Cooper.  The  company  also  made  a  raid 
into  Georgia,  from  Woodstock  Mills,  to  destroy  the  telegraph  con 
nection  from  Tallahassee,  Fla.,  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  which  was  success 
fully  accomplished,  after  a  march  of  nearly  twenty  miles,  capturing 
a  rebel  mail  rider  by  the  way.  The  return  march  was  accelerated 
by  the  approach  of  a  part  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Clinch's  command. 
The  company  also  made  a  reconnoissance  up  the  St.  Mary's  River, 
in  March,  1864,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  some  mill  fixtures  for 
use  in  the  department. 


COMPANY  G,  BROOM  ALL  GUARDS. 

Company  G  was  recruited  in  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  by  Jesse  L. 
Cummins,  fourth  son  of  George  and  Matilda  Babb  Cummins,  who 
was  born  in  the  township  of  Upper  Providence,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa . 
in  1840.  His  father  dying  while  he  was  quite  young  placed  him 
almost  upon  his  own  resources.  He  early  exhibited  great  precision 
as  a  marksman,  and  a  desire  for  the  experiences  of  hunting  and 
frontier  life.  With  an  elder  brother,  he  went  West  during  his 


52  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

minority.  They  together  encountered,  in  a  log  house,  on  Eden 
Prairie,  one  of  the  severest  of  Minnesota  winters,  cooking  and 
baking  for  themselves.  Jesse  returned  home  before  the  commence 
ment  of  the  rebellion,  and  began  to  develop  business  qualifications, 
energy  and  order.  Not  having  selected  a  trade,  he  was  induced  to 
enter  the  law  office  of  Hon.  John  M.  Broomall,  with  whom  he 
studied  law,  at  Media,  Delaware  Co.,  and  had  just  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  at  that  place,  when  the  rebellion 
occurred.  At  the  first  call  of  the  President  for  troops,  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Company  I,  9th  Hegiment  P.  V.,  in  the  three 
months'  service.  The  company  was  commanded  by  Capt.  H.  B. 
Edwards,  of  Chester,  Pa.,  and  served  with  Gen.  II.  Patterson's  com 
mand,  in  Maryland  and  Virginia.  At  the  expiration  of  its  term, 
he  was  discharged  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  on  July  29,  1861.  Capt. 
Cummins  was  authorized,  by  Col.  II.  R.  Guss,  to  recruit  a  company 
for  his  Regiment,  on  August  25,  1861.  He  commenced  to  recruit 
his  company  about  September  1.  The  men  enlisted  were  mostly 
from  the  vicinity  of  Media  and  Chester,  in  Delaware  County.  By 
October  15,  1861,  an  aggregate  of  eighty-three  men  being  enlisted, 
they  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  at  Camp 
Wayne,  West  Chester,  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  with  the  following 
named  officers:  captain,  Jesse  L.  Cummins,  Media,  Del.  Co.;  1st 
lieutenant,  Caleb  Hoopes,  Upper  Providence,  Del.  Co.;  2d  lieute 
nant,  Joseph  M.  Borrell,  Media,  Del.  Co.;  1st  sergeant,  Reuben  H. 
Smith,  M.  D.;  2d  sergeant,  William  H.  Eves;  3d  sergeant,  John  C. 
Morton;  4th  sergeant,  WTilliam  M.  Collom;  5th  sergeant,  Thomas 
J.  McMullen;  1st  corporal,  Gasway  O.  Yarnall;  2d  corporal,  Wil 
liam  N.  Baker ;  3d  corporal,  Thomas  J.  Wade ;  4th  corporal, 
William  H.  Cox;  5th  corporal,  Harry  G.  Yocum;  6th  corporal, 
Israel  Oat;  7th  corporal,  Simon  Litzenberg;  8th  corporal,  Reece  L. 
Weaver;  musicians,  Jonathan  S.  Farm  and  George  W.  Ross;  team 
ster,  Enoch  Dunlap. 

The  company  was  filled  to  the  maximum  number  about  Novem 
ber  16,  and,  from  the  time  of  its  muster,  occupied  quarters  in 
the  barracks,  on  the  north  side  of  Camp  Wayne,  adjoining  Com 
pany  F.  Being  the  seventh  organized,  it  became  Company  G  in 
the  97th  Regiment.  The  militia  name  adopted  was  Broomall 
Guards,  in  compliment  to  Hon.  John  M.  Broomall  Member  of  Con 
gress  from  the  7th  Congressional  District,  and  a  resident  of  the  lo 
cality  from  which  the  company  was  recruited. 


VACANCIES   AND   PROMOTIONS   IN   COMPANY   G.  53 

On  December  21,  1861,  5th  Corp.  Harry  G.  Yocum  died,  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.  On  January  1,  1862,  3d  Sergt.  John  C. 
Morton  was  transferred  to  Company  I,  at  his  own  request.  The  4th 
and  5th  sergeants  were  advanced,  1st  Corp.  Yarnall  appointed  5th 
sergeant  and  the  other  corporals  promoted.  Privates  Albin  Edwards 
and  Eli  B.  Grubb  were  appointed  7th  and  8th  corporals. 

Capt.  Cummins  commanded  his  company  until  May  1,  1862, 
when,  owing  to  failing  health,  from  exposure  and  climatic  influences, 
he  resigned  and  was  honorably  discharged,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C., 
Special  Order  No.  53,  Department  of  the  South,  approved  by  Maj. 
Gen.  D.  Hunter,  commanding  the  department.  He  then  returned 
home  and  became  somewhat  improved  in  health,  after  a  tour  through 
the  Western  States.  On  June  17,  1863,  he  again  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Capt.  Joseph  Pratt's  Company  I,  29th  Regiment  Penn 
sylvania  Militia,  called  out  for  the  emergency  when  Lee  invaded 
Pennsylvania.  He  served  with  that  company  until  August  1,  1863, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  of  service,  with  the  company,  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  by  Capt.  M.  A.  Kerr,  1st  U.  S.  Arty.,  mustering  officer. 

Capt,  Cummins  was  also  drafted  by  the  district  authorities  about 
July  23,  1863.  (In  view  of  his  having  three  times  entered  the  ser 
vice  as  a  volunteer,  how  his  name  could  have  been  placed  upon  the 
draft  list  is  unaccountable.)  Upon  his  application  for  exemption, 
on  the  ground  of  three  voluntary  enlistments,  together  with  physical 
disability,  a  certificate  of  exemption  was  given  him  by  Capt.  E.  L. 
Christman,  provost  marshal  of  the  district. 

Being  afflicted  with  pulmonary  consumption,  his  health  soon 
began  to  fail  rapidly.  He  died,  at  Media,  near  his  birth  place, 
December  21,  1866.  He  had  married  after  his  discharge  from  the 
97th  Regiment.  His  wife  survived  him  but  a  short  time,  leaving  a 
son,  James  R.  Cummins,  Jr.,  now  under  the  care  of  his  uncle,  James 
R.  Cummins,  of  Media. 

The  vacancy  in  the  command  of  Company  G,  for  reasons  satis 
factory  to  the  colonel  commanding,  was  filled  by  the  promotion  of 
the  senior  1st  lieutenant  of  the  Regiment,  Louis  Y.  Evans,  of  Com 
pany  A,  to  captain,  to  rank  from  May  1,  1862. 

1st  Corp.  William  N.  Baker  was  discharged,  May  25,  1862,  and 
4th  Corp.  Isaac  Oat  died,  August  10,  1862.  1st  Sergt.  Dr.  Reuben 
H.  Smith  was  promoted  to  hospital  steward,  September  4,  1862. 
2d  Sergt.  William  H.  Eves  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant.  The  re 
maining  non-commissioned  officers  had  been  duly  advanced.  1st 


54  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

corporal  Thomas  J.  Wade  became  5th  sergeant.  To  fill  the  other 
vacancies,  Privates  John  Doyle,  Hillary  Fox  and  Henry  Hoofstiteler 
were  appointed.  The  date  and  order  of  subsequent  promotions  of 
non-commissioned  officers  of  the  company  could  not  be  accurately 
ascertained.  The  record  gives  such  as  could  be  found.  Capt, 
Evans  continued  in  command  until  October  23,  1862,  when  he  re 
signed  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health.  1st 
Lieut.  Caleb  Hoopes  was  then  promoted  to  captain  and  was  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  company  until  his  discharge,  at  the  ex 
piration  of  his  term  of  service,  October  17,  1864. 

To  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  promotion  of  1st  Lieut. 
Hoopes,  4th  Sergt.  G.  O.  Yarnall  was  commissioned  1st  lieutenant, 
October  23, 1862.  2d  Lieut.  Joseph  M.  Borrell  thereupon  tendered 
his  resignation,  which,  being  accepted  at  department  head-quarters, 
on  November  13,  1862,  he  was  accordingly  discharged.  1st  Sergt. 
William  H.  Eves  was  then  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant,  but,  owing  to 
delay  in  receiving  his  commission,  he  was  not  mustered  until  July 
1,  1863.  Lieuts.  Yarnall  and  Eves  served  with  the  company  until 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service,  October  22,  1864,  and  were 
honorably  discharged.  Lieut.  Yarnall  held  the  position  of  post 
ordnance  officer,  at  Fort  Clinch,  Fernandina,  Fla.,  from  October  7, 

1863,  until  April  23,  1864,  and  was  acting  ordnance  officer  of  Ar 
tillery  Brigade,  10th  A.  C.,  from  July  2  to  October  14,  1864,  when 
he  was  discharged  on  account  of  expiration  of  term  of  service. 

Lieut.  Eves  was  wounded,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  10,  1864. 
He  was  frequently  in  command  of  his  company  while  on  active  duty 
at  the  front,  during  the  Virginia  campaign,  and  was  conspicuous  for 
gallantry  and  bravery  in  action.  Being  in  command  of  his  company, 
at  New  Market  Road,  September  29,  1864,  and  at  Darby  Town, 
October  7,  1864,  he  received  honorable  mention  in  Gen.  Butler's 
congratulatory  order  to  the  Army  of  the  James,  dated  October  11, 

1864.  He  was  also  recommended  for  promotion  to  the  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania.     This  recognition    of  his  services  was  well  de 
served,  as  during   the  entire  service   he  was  regarded  by  all  his 
commanding   officers   as   a   most  faithful    untiring  officer,  always 
found  at  his  post  of  duty. 

The  term  of  service  of  officers  and  men,  originally  enlisted  in  this 
company,  expired  about  the  middle  of  October,  1864,  and  they  were 
accordingly  discharged  and  returned  home.  Thirty-five  had  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans  for  the  war,  in  accordance  with  orders  already 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY   H.  00 

specified.  Their  names  will  be  found  upon  the  roster  of  the  com 
pany,  designated  "  Vet"  Corp.  Cheyney  T.  Haiues  was  promoted 
to  sergeant  major,  September  18,  1864,  and  Corp.  Washington  W. 
James  to  commissary  sergeant,  April  1,  1865. 

After  the  discharge  of  the  orginal  officers  of  Company  G,  Sergt. 
Mai.  Chevnev  T.  Haines  was  commissioned  1st  lieutenant  of  the 

*J  99 

company,  December  1,  1864.  He  was  mortally  wounded  in  action 
at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  January  15,  1865,  and  died  on  the  same  day, 
having  been  breveted  captain  for  gallantry  during  the  assault. 

Com.  Sergt.  Washington  W.  James  was  commissoned  captain 
of  Company  G,  May  1,  1865,  and  continued  to  be  the  commanding 
officer  until  the  muster  out  of  the  Ilegiment,  at  Weldon,  N.  C., 
August  '28,  1865.  1st  Sergt.  Isaiah  Bird  was  commissioned  1st 
lieutenant,  May  1,  1865,  and  Sergt.  Jeremiah  Yoast,  2d  lieutenant, 
same  date.  These  officers  also  served  in  their  respective  grades 
during  the  remainder  of  the  service. 


COMPANY  H,  GREBLE  GUARDS. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  1861,  Charles  Mcllvaine,  of 
Springton,  near  Waynesburg,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  offered  to  raise  a 
company  of  volunteers  for  acceptance  by  the  War  Department. 
This  offer  was  accepted  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  the  following 
letter,  dated: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  August  30,  1861. 
CAPT.  CHARLES  MC!LVAINE,  Brandywine  Manor,  Chester  Co.,  Pa. 

SIR:  The  company  of  infantry,  one  hundred  and  one  men,  which 
you  offer,  is  accepted  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war  provided 
you  have  it  ready  for  marching  orders  in  thirty  days. 

This  acceptance  is  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  this 
Department  will  revoke  the  commissions  of  all  officers  who  may 
be  found  incompetent  for  the  proper  discharge  of  their  duties. 

Your  men  will  be  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  in  accordance  with  General  Orders  Nos.  58  and  61,  from 
this  Department.  You  are  at  liberty  to  attach  the  company  to  any 
of  the  regiments  now  forming  in  Pennsylvania,  with  the  consent  of 
the  colonel  commanding. 

Very  respectfully,  THOMAS  A.  SCOTT, 

Assistant  Secretary  of  War. 


56  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Capt.  Mcllvaine  was  the  only  surviving  son  of  Hon.  Abraham 
Robinson  Mcllvaine,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Chester  Co.,  who  was 
elected  to  represent  the  7th  Congressional  District,  then  composed 
of  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  and  took  his  seat  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Twenty-eighth  Congress,  being  afterwards  re-elected  for  three  suc 
cessive  Congresses.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1836  and  1837,  and  declined  a  nomination 
to  the  State  Senate,  in  1838,  his  private  affairs  demanding  his  entire 
attention.  In  1840,  he  was  the  representative  of  his  district  in  the 
Electoral  College  of  Pennsylvania,  casting  his  vote  for  the  success 
ful  candidates  for  the  Presidency  and  Vice-Presidency.  In  June, 
1840,  he  was  nominated  for  a  vacancy  in  the  State  Legislature, 
but  the  Speaker  of  the  House  withholding  the  order,  the  special 
election  was  not  held. 

Mr.  Mcllvaine  entered  Congress  as  a  member  of  the  old  Whig 
party,  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  policy  of  a  protective  tariff,  and 
stood  among  the  earliest  and  most  constant  opponents  of  the  an 
nexation  of  Texas,  taking  the  position  "  that  annexation  would  be 
unconstitutional,  injurious  to  the  interests  of  the  free  States,  as  it 
tended  to  extend  and  perpetuate  slavery  and  to  involve  the  country 
in  war."  He  subsequently  took  strong  ground  in  opposition  to 
the  prosecution  of  the  aggressive  war  against  Mexico,  and  in  a 
speech  delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  on  June  18,  1846, 
ably  presented  the  aggressive  attitude  of  the  Administration  in  in 
volving  the  country  in  war  without  authority  of  law  and  in  viola 
tion  of  the  Constitution.  The  constituents  of  Mr.  Mcllvaine  fully 
sustained  his  course  in  Congress  in  both  public  and  private*  expres 
sions.* 

In  1848,  and  for  several  successive  years,  he  was  President  of  the 
Agricultural  Society  of  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties,  and  for 
many  years  was  Vice- President  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Agricul 
tural  Society.  He  possessed  the  personal  esteem  of  men  of  all 
parties,  the  excellence  of  his  private  character  being  recognized  by 
all  within  reach  of  its  influence.  He  died  August  22,  1863,  aged 
about  seventy  years.'f 

*  History  of  Congress,  Biographical  and  Political,  by  Henry  G  Wheeler, 
1848. 

•j~Tbis  family  of  Mcllvaine  is  descended  from  Allan's  Mcllvaine,  who,  in  1520, 
secured  from  Queen  Mary  the  grant  of  lands  in  Upper  and  Nether  Grimmet,  in 
Ayr,  Scotland.  He  was  the  first  Laird  of  Grimmet.  Two  of  his  sons  fell  in 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY    II.  57 

,  Charles  Mcllvainc  was  born  at  Springton  farm,  one  of  the  original 
Penu  manors,  near  Waynesbirrg,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  May  31,  1840. 
His  early  education  was  received,  under  the  guidance  of  his  father 
and  a  private  instructor,  at  home.  At  the  age  of  ten,  he  entered 
the  Northwest  Grammar  School,  in  Philadelphia,  and  passed 
through  its  course,  before  attaining  the  age  of  twelve,  at  a  sacrifice 
of  health  which  required  a  suspension  of  his  studies.  Having 
access  to  his  father's  library,  and  inheriting  one  from  his  grand 
father,  with  a  strong  desire  to  acquire  knowledge,  he  had  oppor 
tunity  for  pursuing  earnestly  his  studies  at  home.  In  this  he  was 
encouraged  by  his  parents,  whose  liberality  enabled  him  to  add  quite 
extensively  to  his  library.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  entered  an 
engineer  corps,  then  making  the  survey  for  the  Brandywine  and 
Waynesburg  Railroad,  as  chain  man.  After  one  year  of  service  in 
that  capacity,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  division  engineer 
and  placed  in  charge  of  the  upper  division  of  the  above-named  road, 
in  which  service  he  was  engaged  when  the  rebellion  occurred. 
Upon  the  acceptance,  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  his  offer  to  raise 
a  company  for  the  service,  he  commenced  to  recruit  his  company, 
al'ter  having  arranged  with  Col.  Guss  to  attach  it  to  the  97th 
Regiment.  Bills  were  struck  off  and  posted  all  over  the  coun try- 
about  Springton,  Waynesburg  and  villages  along  the  Welsh  Moun 
tain  and  Conestoga  Valley,  and  meetings  called  at  the  places 
designated.  As  fast  as  recruits  were  obtained,  they  were  taken  to 
Camp  Wayne,  at  West  Chester,  and  mustered  into  the  service,  by 
Maj.  G.  Pennypacker.  The  men  occupied  quarters  on  the  south 
side  of  the  camp.  After  quite  a  number  of  recruits  had  been  ob 
tained  by  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  it  was  decided  to  unite  his  men  with 
those  enlisted  by  David  Jones,  of  West  Chester,  who  had  served  as 
1st  lieutenant  of  Company  F,  9th  Regiment,  in  the  three  months' 
service,  who  had  also  been  authorized  by  Col.  Guss  to  recruit  for 
the  Regiment;  thus  aggregating  eighty-three  officers  and  men,  the 
number  necessary  for  the  organization  of  the  eighth  company,  of 
which  Charles  Mcllvaine  was  mustered  as  captain,  on  October  17, 
1861,  and  David  Jones  as  1st  lieutenant;  the  understanding  being 

the  battle  of  Fanshawe,  and  two  of  his  grandchildren  were  in  the  following  of 
the  Earl  of  Casselis,  at  Lady  Care,  in  1(501.  The  family  were  known  as  Cove 
nanters,  and  suffered  terribly  in  the  persecution  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterians,  by 
the  King's  troops,  which  caused  their  emigration  to  Ireland,  where  they  re 
mained  about  one  generation. 


58  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

had  that  Lieut.  Jones  was  to  be  regimental  quarter-master.  Thomas 
S.  Taylor,  of  West  Chester,  was  mustered  as  2d  lieutenant. 

The  company  was  called  the  Greble  Guards,  in  honor  of  the  brave 
officer  of  that  name  who  fell  at  Big  Bethel.  The  non-commissioned 
officers  were:  1st  sergeant,  Elwood  P.  Baldwin;  2d  sergeant,  Jeffer 
son  T.  Massey;  3d  sergeant,  George  A.  Lemaistre;  4th  sergeant, 
Joseph  H.  Walton;  5th  sergeant,  William  Garver;  1st  corporal, 
Thomas  John;  3d  corporal,  John  A.  Russell;  3d  corporal,  George 
W.  Burns;  4th  corporal,  Robert  S.  Keene,  Jr.;  5th  corporal,  George 
H.  Durnall;  6th  corporal,  Thomas  J.  Henderson;  7th  corporal, 
William  F.  Smith;  8th  corporal,  Abner  Evans. 

The  company  did  not  receive  arms  at  Camp  Wayne,  but  was 
drilled  in  the  step,  march,  etc.,  by  its  officers,  with  the  same  dili 
gence  and  attention  given  bv  officers  of  the  other  companies. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  1861,  Capt  Mcllvaine  was  notified,  by 
Hon.  Simon  Cameron,  Secretary  of  War,  of  his  appointment,  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  as  captain  in  the  19th  Infantry,  U. 
S.  A.,  to  rank  from  that  date,  with  orders,  in  case  of  his  acceptance 
of  the  appointment,  to  report  in  person  for  orders,  to  the  colonel 
of  that  regiment,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

In  consideration  of  his  promise  to  the  men  enrolled  by  him,  to 
remain  in  the  service  with  them,  his  acceptance  of  this  appoint 
ment  was  qualified  by  a  request  to  be  permitted  to  remain  in  the 
volunteer  service,  during  the  term  of  his  enlistment,  which  being 
granted  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  he  continued  in  command  of  his 
company. 

On  October  31,  1861,  1st  Lieut.  David  Jones  was  mustered,  as 
regimental  quarter-master,  by  Lieut.  Col.  C.  F.  Ruff,  U.  S.  commis 
sary  of  muster.  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  S.  Taylor  was  promoted  to  the 
vacancy,  November  5,  and  1st  Sergt.  Elwood  P.  Baldwin  was  pro 
moted  to  2d  lieutenant,  to  which  grade  both  were  mustered  by  Maj. 
G.  Pennypacker,  on  that  date.  2d  Sergt.  Jefferson  T.  Massey  was 
then  appointed  1st  sergeant.  3d  Sergt.  Lemaistre  was  promoted  to 
sergeant-major  of  the  Regiment,  and  transferred  to  the  non-com 
missioned  staff.  Corps.  John  and  Russell  were  promoted  to  ser 
geants,  and  Privates  James  McConnell  and  Thomas  W.  Durnall  to 
7th  and  8th  corporals. 

On  the  arrival,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  March  5,  1862,  Company 
H,  under  command  of  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  established  the  first  picket 
line  outside  the  town,  and  came  upon  a  masked  battery  intended 


VACANCIES   AND    PROMOTIONS    IN    COMPANY    II.  59 

for  protection  of  the  retreating  rebels  toward  Harrison's  Landing, 
who,  in  their  haste,  had  left  two  guns  in  position,  which  were 
brought  in  by  the  company.  At  Jacksonville,  the  company  took 
part  in  the  arduous  picket  duty  and  night  skirmishing  performed 
by  the  97th  Regiment.  Soon  after  entering  upon  active  service, 
the  regulation  hat,  scales,  etc.,  were  mostly  discarded  by  the  other 
companies,  on  account  of  their  inconvenience  and  imposing  unne 
cessary  labor  upon  the  men.  By  hard  work,  Capt.  Mcllvaine  had 
required  his  men  to  retain  them,  and,  from  the  company  fund,  pro 
vided  the  men  with  gloves  and  other  articles  that  added  to  their 
personal  appearance,  the  company  being  favorably  noticed,  in  these 
respects,  by  Gen.  Wright,  the  brigade  commander,  at  a  grand 
review,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  by  Gen.  Hunter.  Upon  making 
his  head-quarters  at  Seabrook,  in  North  Edisto,  Gen.  Wright 
selected  Company  H  as  guard  at  head-quarters,  April  '25,  1862, 
and  retained  it  upon  that  duty  until  the  march  toward  James 
Island.  The  company  then  formed  part  of  the  rear  guard,  and  was 
a  part  of  the  force  left  to  guard  the  passage  of  a  creek  on  James 
Island,  about  five  miles  south  of  Lcgareeville,  S.  C. 

On  April  29,  1862,  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  S.  Taylor  resigned,  on 
account  of  ill  health,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  2d  Lieut. 
El  wood  P.  Baldwin  was  then  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  and  Sergt. 
Maj.  George  A.  Lemaistre  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant  of  the 
company. 

On  November  5,  1862,  1st  Lieut.  Elwood  P.  Baldwin  resigned,  on 
account  of  failing  health,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  He  sub 
sequently  recovered  and  re-enlisted  as  a  private  in  this  company,  as 
will  appear  in  the  record.  There  was  no  immediate  promotion  to 
fill  the  vacancy. 

On  April  29,  1863,  while  serving  upon  the  staff  of  Gen.  Terry, 
Capt.  Mcllvaine  made  application  for  a  leave  of  absence  for  twenty 
days,  on  account  of  a  severe  bronchial  affection.  This  application 
was  forwarded  to  the  department  head-quarters,  by  Gen.  A.  H. 
Terry,  with  the  following  endorsement: 

H.).  QUAR.  U.  S.  FORCES,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.,  April  28,  1863. 

Capt.  Mcllvaine  is  a  most  excellent  and  faithful  officer,  and  fully 
deserving  of  any  indulgence  which  the  interest  of  the  service  will 
permit.  Although  in  feeble  health,  suffering  from  bronchial  disease, 
he  has  remained  on  duty  at  the  sacrifice  of  health  and  comfort, 


60  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

for  the  purpose  of  accompanying  his  regiment  in  the  late  movement 
on  Charleston.  I  respectfully  commend  his  application  to  the  favor 
able  consideration  of  the  major  general  commanding. 

[Signed]  A.  H.  TERRY, 

Brig.  Gen.  Comdg.  Post. 

The  leave  of  absence  being  approved  at  department  head-quarters, 
Capt.  Mcllvaine  went  north  and  returned  at  its  expiration. 

About  June  12,  1863,  having  previously  tendered  his  resignation, 
on  account  of  continued  ill  health,  he  received  the  following  dis 
charge  : 

HD.  QRS.  DEFT.  SOUTH,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.,  June  10,  1863. 
Special  Order,  No.  327. 

Par.  VIII.          *  ***** 

Capt.  Charles  Mcllvaine,  97th  Pa.  Vols.,  having  tendered  his 
resignation,  on  the  ground  of  ill  health,  and  having  been  approved 
by  the  medical  director,  Department  South,  the  same  is  hereby  ac 
cepted,  to  take  effect  this  date. 

Capt.  Mcllvaine  is  accordingly  honorably  discharged  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States. 

By  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  D.  Hunter: 

[Signed]  ISRAEL  R.  SEALY, 

1st  Lieut.  47th  N.  Y.  Vols,  A,  A.  A.  Gen. 

He  also  resigned  the  captaincy  in  the  19th  Infantry,  U.  S.  A., 
which  had  been  held  open  for  his  acceptance,  after  discharge  from 
the  volunteer  service. 

Before  the  notice  of  discharge  was  received,  Capt.  Mcllvaine  was 
tendered  the  appointment  of  a  majority  in  the  1st  South  Carolina 
Volunteers,  by  Lieut.  Col.  M.  S.  Lifctlefield,  commanding  1st  South 
Carolina  Volunteers,  which  appointment  he  decided  to  accept.  He 
received  orders  from  Gen.  Hunter,  detailing  him  for  duty  with  the 
1st  South  Carolina  Volunteers,  with  directions  to  report  to  Col. 
Littlefield,  at  Morris  Island,  to  recruit  for  that  regiment.  Upon 
the  acceptance  of  his  resignation,  however,  he  determined  to  return 
north  for  the  benefit  of  his  failing  health.  The  vacancy  in  Com 
pany  H,  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  was  filled 
by  the  promotion  of  2d  Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre  to  captain,  to 
rank  from  June  11,  1863.  Owing  to  active  operations  in  the  de- 


VACANCIES   AND   PROMOTIONS   IN    COMPANY    II.  61 

partment  and  upon  Morris  Island,  and  the  invasion  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  by  Gen.  Lee,  there  was  considerable  delay  in  commissions 
being  received  from  that  State,  ('apt.  Lemaistre  was,  therefore, 
prevented  from  muster.  lie  continued  to  command  the  company  as 
2d  lieutenant.  At  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  13,  1863,  Company 
II,  under  command  of  2d  Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  was  detailed 
for  provost  guard  duty,  with  orders  to  report  to  Capt.  Z.  II.  Robin- 
son,  9th  Maine  Volunteers,  provost  marshal.  The  company  moved 
its  quarters  within  the  provost  guard  camp,  being  dropped  for  the 
time  from  the  regimental  morning  reports.  The  company  remained 
upon  that  duty  until  released  by  orders,  the  date  of  which  lias  not 
been  retained. 

At  Fernandina,  Fla.,  the  company  was  stationed,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Capt.  Lemaistre,  at  Old  Town,  where  it  remained  upon 
duty  while  at  that  post.  In  the  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda 
Hundred,  Va.,  on  May  20,  1864,  Capt.  Lemaistre  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  arm  and  disabled  from  further  service,  and,  being 
absent  from  his  command  on  account  of  wounds,  he  was  not 
mustered  as  captain.  He  was  honorably  discharged,  September  20, 
1864,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service. 

Thirty-two  men  of  the  company  had  re-enlisted  as  veterans  for 
the  war  and  were  re-mustered,  by  Lieut.  M.  V.  B.  Richards,  with 
two  others  of  the  Regiment.  The  subsequent  promotions  were 
made  from  those  who  re-enlisted.  On  May  1,  1864,  Sergt.  George 
II.  Durnall  was  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  of  the  company  and,  on 
May  10,  Sergt.  Lewis  H.  Watkin  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant. 
The  commissions  of  these  officers  had  just  reached  the  Regiment 
when  it  went  into  action,  at  Green  Plains,  Va.,  previous  to  their 
being  mustered.  Both  were  killed  in  the  memorable  charge  upon 
Gen.  Pickett's  division,  which  swept  down  so  many  of  the  bravest 
and  best  of  the  Regiment.  Durnall  and  Watkin  had  been  selected 
for  promotion  in  recognition  of  faithful  service.  They  were  young 
men  of  much  promise,  beloved  by  all  the  Regiment.  Their  bodies 
were  never  recovered,  as  they  fell  upon  a  portion  of  the  field  of 
which  the  enemy  retained  possession.  The  next  promotions  in  the 
company  were  those  of  Sergt.  Theodore  M.  Smedley  to  1st  lieute 
nant,  August  8,  1864,  and  Sergt.  Phares  P.  Brown  to  2d  lieute 
nant,  September  21,  1864.  On  April  5,  1865,  1st  Lieut.  Smedley 
was  promoted  to  captain,  to  rank  from  December  5,  1864,  and  2d 
Lieut.  Brown  to  1st  lieutenant,  to  rank  from  same  date.  Sergt. 


62  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Isaac  L.  Button  was  promoted,  May  1,  1865,  to  2d  lieutenant. 
These  officers  held  their  respective  positions  during  the  remainder 
of  the  service,  and  were  mustered  out  with  the  Regiment,  August 
28,  1865.  Capt.  Smedley  was  wounded  in  the  charge  upon  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  January  15,  1865,  and  was  appointed  brevet  captain, 
in  orders,  for  gallantry  in  command  of  his  company  during  the 
action. 


COMPANY  I,  BROOKE  GUARDS. 

This  company  was  recruited  by  George  W.  Hawkins,  of  Dela 
ware  Co.,  Pa.,  assisted  by  Sketchly  and  Anneslcy  N.  Morton,  sons 
of  Judge  Sketchly  Morton,  of  Delaware  Co.,  whose  great  grand 
father,  Hon.  John  Morton,  was  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence. 

Capt.  Hawkins  was  born  at  Chester,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  Novem 
ber  18,  1827.  As  a  biographical  sketch  of  him  will  appear  in  an 
other  part  of  this  work,  it  is  not  necessary  to  give  his  record  here. 
In  response  to  the  call  of  President  Lincoln,  for  seventy-five  thou 
sand  volunteers,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Washington  Grays, 
of  Philadelphia,  which  became  Company  A  in  the  17th  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  commanded  by  Col.  Francis  E.  Patterson, 
being  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  April  25,  1861. 
This  regiment  served  with  Gen.  Robert  Patterson's  command,  in 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  during  the  three  months'  term,  and  was 
discharged  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  August  2,  1861. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  Delaware  County,  his  zeal  for  the  national 
cause  induced  him  to  return  to  the  service,  and  having  ascertained 
that  a  regiment  was  being  raised  by  Col.  Guss,  from  the  district 
composed  of  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties,  he  obtained  authority 
from  that  officer,  and  in  co-operation  with  the  Mortons,  commenced 
to  recruit  a  company.  Every  inducement  being  afforded  by  Col. 
Guss  to  make  the  company  a  success,  recruiting  commenced  about 
September  1,  1861,  but  owing  to  the  number  of  enlistments  already 
made  from  the  district,  for  the  other  companies  of  the  97th  and 
other  regiments,  the  number  increased  but  slowly.  The  first  muster 
for  the  company  was  on  the  16th  of  September,  at  Camp  Wayne, 
by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  about  twenty-five  recruits  being  mustered. 
They  then  went  into  quarters  on  the  south  side  of  Camp  Wayne, 


ORGANIZATION    OF   COMPANY    I.  63 

in  charge  of  the  officers  engaged  in  recruiting  for  the  company, 
one  of  whom  remained  at  the  camp  to  drill  and  exercise  the 
men  while  the  others  were  looking  up  additional  recruits.  On  Sep 
tember  "21  and  October  9,  15,  17,  and  19,  additional  musters  were 
made,  aggregating,  on  the  latter  date,  fifty-three  men,  when 
Sketchly  Morton,  Jr.,  was  mustered  as  1st  lieutenant  of  the  com 
pany,  which  was  now  designated  Company  I,  97th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers.  The  militia  name  adopted  was  the  Brooke  Guards,  in 
compliment  to  Hon.  H.  Jones  Brooke,  State  Senator  for  Chester 
and  Delaware  Counties,  and  a  resident  of  Media,  Delaware  County, 
Pa.  The  men  of  this  company  were  mostly  from  Delaware  County. 
Additional  musters  were  made  for  the  company  on  October  24, 
November  7,  8,  10  and  15.  It  yet  lacked  a  sufficient  number 
for  the  muster  of  its  full  complement  of  officers.  Before  leaving 
Camp  Wayne,  on  November  16,  Annesley  N.  Morton  was  mus 
tered  as  2d  lieutenant  of  the  company. 

The  original  officers,  and  non-commissioned  officers  of  Company 
1  were  as  follows:  captain,  George  W.  Hawkins;  1st  lieutenant, 
Sketchly  Morton,  Jr.,  and  2d  lieutenant,  Annesley  N.  Morton,  of 
Morton,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.;  1st  sergeant,  James  Williams;  2d  ser 
geant,  John  Knapp;  3d  sergeant,  Thomas  N.  Watson;  4th  sergeant, 
John  C.  Morton;  5th  sergeant,  George  W.  Duffee;  1st  corporal, 
William  R.  Wood;  2d  corporal,  William  P.  Hayman;  3d  corporal, 
John  L.  Morton;  4th  corporal,  Robert  Trowland;  5th  corporal. 
Clayton  C.  Elbertson;  6th  corporal,  Thomas  Creigan;  7th  corporal. 
William  Otto  well;  8th  corporal,  vacant. 

Capt.  Hawkins  could  not  be  mustered  until  the  company  had  an 
aggregate  of  eighty-three  men.  He  was  subsequently  mustered,  by 
order  of  Maj.  Gen.  D.  Hunter,  commanding  Department  of  the 
South,  April  19,  1862,  to  rank  from  October  29,  1861.  While 
at  Camp  Wayne,  the  company  received  such  instructions  in  drill 
and  discipline  as  their  limited  time  afforded,  Capt.  Hawkins  and 
his  lieutenants  being  indefatigable  in  their  efforts  to  bring  the  com 
pany  to  a  degree  of  proficiency  that  should  not  leave  it  very  far 
behind  those  companies  that  had  longer  opportunity  for  prepara 
tions.  The  company  was  uniformed  but  not  armed  at  Camp  Wayne. 

When  the  Regiment  reached  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  1st  Lieut. 
Sketchly  Morton,  Jr.,  returned  to  the  district  for  the  purpose  of  ob 
taining  recruits  to  fill  the  company.  There  was,  however,  but  little 
success  realized  after  the  departure  of  the  Regiment.  Five  recruits 


64  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

were   sent  forward  in   December,  1861;   one  in  January;   one  in 
February;  one  in  March,  and  two  in  April,  1862. 

In  consequence  of  long-continued  close  confinement  on  shipboard, 
during  the  movements  for  the  reduction  of  Fort  Pulaski,  January, 
February  and  March,  1862,  the  health  of  many  officers  and  men 
was  much  impaired.  Of  these,  2d  Lieut.  A.  N.  Morton  suffered 
seriously,  necessitating  his  resignation,  and  return  to  a  northern 
climate.  He  was,  therefore,  honorably  discharged,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  April  16,  1862,  and  returned  home. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Lieut.  Morton,  1st  Sergt.  James  Wil 
liams  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant,  April  16,  1862;  he  resigned 
and  was  honorably  discharged,  September  8,  1862.  John  Knapp, 
who  had  previously  been  promoted  to  1st  sergeant,  was  then  pro 
moted  to  2d  lieutenant,  to  rank  from  September  10,  1862.  The 
next  vacancy  in  the  company  officers  was  caused  by  the  death  of 
1st  Lieut.  Sketchly  Morton,  Jr.,  of  yellow  fever,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  November  12,  1862.  An  account  of  this  sad  event  will  be 
given  in  another  part  of  this  history.  This  was  the  first  death  of 
an  officer  of  the  Regiment,  and  caused  a  deep-felt  regret  for  the 
loss  of  one  so  young,  so  bright  and  earnest  in  all  his  efforts,  and 
endeared,  by  his  gentle  and  genial  nature,  to  the  entire  circle  of  his 
brother  officers. 

There  was  no  immediate  promotion  to  fill  this  vacancy,  or  those 
of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  on  account  of  the  absence  of 
Capt.  G.  W.  Hawkins  on  recruiting  service.  The  record  of  these 
could  only  be  presented  in  the  record  roll,  owing  to  the  absence  of 
any  reliable  data  in  regard  to  the  time  and  order  of  promotions. 
2d  Lieut.  John  Knapp  resigned,  and  was  honorably  discharged,  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  February  5,  1864.  About  this  time,  thirty-seven 
of  the  company,  with  others  of  the  Regiment,  re-enlisted  as  vete 
rans  and  received  a  furlough  of  thirty  days.  The  vacancies  in  the 
company  officers  were  now  filled  by  the  promotions  of  1st  Sergt. 
George  W.  Duffee  to  2d  lieutenant,  to  rank  from  February  5,  1864, 
and  on  February  6,  was  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant;  2d  Sergt.  W. 
H.  H.  Gibson  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant,  to  rank  from 
February  6,  1864,  both  being  of  the  number  who  had  re-enlisted. 

Capt.  Hawkins  continued  in  command  of  his  company  until  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  being  mortally  wounded  in  action, 
at  Darby  Town,  October  27,  1864,  and  died  on  the  28th.  As  the 
term  of  service  of  the  men,  enlisted  in  1861,  expired  in  October  and 


ORGANIZATION   OF   COMPANY    K.  65 

November,  1864,  they  were  accordingly  mustered  out  and  returned 
to  their  homes.  On  December  2,  1864,  1st  Lieut.  George  W. 
Duffee  was  commissioned  as  captain  of  the  company,  2d  Lieut. 
W.  H.  H.  Gibson  was  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  and  1st  Sergt. 
George  M.  Middleton  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant.  These 
officers  served  with  the  company  during  the  remainder  of  the  war, 
and  were  mustered  out  with  the  company  and  Regiment,  at  Wei- 
don,  N.  C.,  August  28,  1-865. 

Company  I  was  detailed,  with  Company  A,  to  occupy  Paris 
Island,  S.  C.,  February  17,  1863,  and  moved  over  from  Hilton 
Head,  where  the  Regiment  was  then  stationed,  the  detachment 
being  under  the  command  of  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss,  of  Company  A. 
These  two  companies  were  relieved  and  rejoined  the  Regiment,  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  26,  1863.  For  an  account  of  this  ser 
vice,  see  narrative  of  the  Regiment. 


COMPANY  K,  WAYNE  GUARDS. 

The  tenth  company  of  the  Regiment  was  organized  by  Capt. 
William  Wayne,  of  Paoli,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  a  descendant  of  the 
renowned  Maj.  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne,  the  hero  of  Stony  Point, 
one  of  the  most  daring  and  successful  officers  of  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Capt.  Wayne,  being  almost  the  only  remaining  descendant  of  the 
family,  succeeded  to  the  title  and  possession  of  the  family  estate 
and  mansion  that  had  been  the  residence  of  Gen.  Wayne,  situated 
near  the  memorable  spot  of  the  Paoli  massacre.  Possessed  of 
ample  competency  and  surrounded  by  the  comforts  of  a  most  at 
tractive  home,  with  wife  and  young  children  just  at  an  age  to  most 
require  the  presence  of  the  husband  and  the  father's  care,  Capt. 
Wayne,  true  to  the  impulses  of  his  patriotic  ancestry  and  to  his 
own  sense  of  duty,  resigned  all  these  in  response  to  the  call  of  his 
country  for  defenders  in  her  hour  of  peril,  trusting  all  to  the  care 
of  Him  who  has  promised  to  be  a  shelter  unto  the  widow  and  the 
fatherless. 

Authority  to  recruit  a  company  for  the  Regiment  was  given  by 
Col.  Guss  to  Capt.  Wayne,  about  September  1,  1861,  when  he  im 
mediately  entered  actively  upon  the  work  of  recruiting.  Various 
localities  were  visited  in  company  with  other  officers.  Success  was 


66  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

necessarily  limited,  owing  to  the  ground  having  already  been  very 
much  gone  over  and  many  enlistments  made  for  other  companies 
and  regiments;  but,  through  perseverance  in  the  effort,  a  few  men 
were  obtained  almost  every  day.  These  were  taken  into  quarters 
in  Camp  Wayne  about  September  20,  and  occupied  the  barracks 
adjoining  Company  I,  on  the  south  side  of  the  camp.  The  first 
muster  for  the  company  was  on  September  28,  when  five  men  were 
mustered  into  service  by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker;  four  more  were 
mustered  on  September  30.  During  October,  thirty-five  additional 
were  mustered.  By  November  7,  the  number  reached  fifty-three, 
an  aggregate  sufficient  for  the  muster  of  one  lieutenant.  Samuel 
V.  Black,  one  of  the  first  five  enlisted,  was  then  mustered  as  2d 
lieutenant  of  the  company,  and  took  command  of  the  recruits  in 
camp.  Three  more  men  were  mustered  while  the  Regiment  re 
mained  at  Camp  Wayne.  For  the  position  of  1st  lieutenant,  John 
J.  Barber,  of  West  Chester,  was  strongly  recommended  by  his 
friends.  It  was  also  understood  that  he  was  well  qualified  for  the 
duties  of  an  officer  and  could  secure  several  recruits.  Capt.  Wayne 
was  induced  to  consent  to  his  appointment  in  the  hope  of  realizing 
a  more  rapid  accession  of  recruits.  In  this,  however,  he  was  disap 
pointed,  for,  notwithstanding  Mr.  Barber  seemed  to  be  quite  earnest 
in  his  efforts,  he  did  not  succeed  in  adding  to  the  number  of  enlist 
ments. 

At  the  time  of  leaving  Camp  Wayne,  fifty-six  men  had  been 
obtained  for  the  company,  being  under  the  number  requisite  for 
the  muster  of  captain  and  1st  lieutenant.  This  was  necessarily  de 
ferred  until  an  aggregate  of  eighty-three  men  could  be  secured. 
Those  officers  were  subsequently  mustered  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C., 
about  April  19,  1862,  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter,  to  rank  from 
October  29,  1861.  The  militia  name  adopted  by  the  company  was 
the  Wayne  Guards.  The  officers  designated  before  leaving  Camp 
Wayne  were:  captain,  William  Wayne,  of  Paoli,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.; 
1st  lieutenant,  John  J.  Barber,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.;  2d  lieute 
nant,  Samuel  V.  Black,  of  Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  1st  sergeant,  Levi  L. 
March;  2d  sergeant,  James  M.  Griffith;  3d  sergeant,  David  P. 
Thomas;  4th  sergeant,  William  S.  Underwood;  5th  sergeant,  R. 
Powell  Fithian,  appointed  December  3,  1861 ;  1st  corporal,  Mariott 
Brosius;  2d  corporal,  Channing  Brinton;  3d  corporal,  William  E. 
Davis ;  4th  corporal,  David  S.  Christman ;  5th  corporal,  Alfred  J. 
Hartman;  6th  corporal,  William  Taylor;  7th  corporal,  Barnet  R. 


VACANCIES   AND   PROMOTIONS    IN   COMPANY    K.  67 

Rapp;  8th  corporal,  James  W.  Phillips;  musicians,  John  II.  Kauff- 
man  and  George  W.  Smith;  wagoner,  Peter  J.  Wonderly.  The 
order  announcing  these  appointments  was  issued  January  29,  1862. 
Of  the  men  originally  enlisted  in  this  company,  and  who  subse 
quently  joined  as  volunteer  recruits,  several  had  served  in  the  three 
months'  campaign,  mostly  in  the  9th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Vo 
lunteers.  They  were  all  reliable  and  efficient  soldiers,  many  of  the 
company  being  most  estimable  young  men  of  the  best  families  in 
Chester  County.  The  drill  and  discipline  attained  at  Camp  Wayne 
were  more  than  proportionate  to  the  limited  opportunity  afforded, 
it  being  the  last  company  organized.  Equipment  of  the  men  in 
clothing,  etc.,  was  furnished  as  fast  as  enlisted,  but  no  arms  were 
issued  to  the  company  until  its  arrival  at  Washington.  Lieut. 
Barber  had  remained  in  West  Chester,  when  the  Regiment  left 
Camp  Wayne,  in  order  to  obtain  recruits.  At  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va.,  Sergt.  R.  P.  Fithian  was  detailed  upon  recruiting  service  and 
returned  to  West  Chester  with  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  Taylor.  Ten 
recruits  were  received  by  the  company  in  December,  1861 ;  six  in 
January,  1862;  nine  in  February;  one  in  March;  one  in  April  and 
another,  November  18,  1862. 

Capt.  Wayne  commanded  his  company  through  the  operations  of 
1862;  the  expedition  to  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga.;  Fort  Clinch,  Fernan- 
dina  and  Jacksonville,  Fla.;  Edisto,  John  and  James  Islands,  S.  C., 
and  during  part  of  the  October  campaign  of  that  year.  At  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  on  September  10,  1862,  he  was  detailed  on  recruit 
ing  service  and  returned  home.  His  health  having  suffered  mate 
rially  from  exposure  and  climatic  influences,  and  being  unable  to 
return  to  duty,  he  tendered  his  resignation  and  received  an  honor 
able  discharge  from  the  service,  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Special  Order  No.  24,  dated  January  19,  1863.  There  was  no 
immediate  promotion  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The  Regiment  being 
then  encamped  at  St.  Helena  Island,  relieved  of  active  duty  for 
sanitary  considerations,  recommendation  for  promotion  was  delayed 
as  long  as  possible  in  order  for  better  observation  to  determine  the 
best  interests  of  the  company  under  the  circumstances.  1st  Lieut. 
Barber  tendered  his  resignation  about  March  1,  which,  being 
accepted,  he  was  honorably  discharged,  March  9,  1863.  2d  Lieut. 
Samuel  V.  Black  was  then  recommended  for  promotion  to  1st  lieu 
tenant  and  1st  Sergt.  Levi  L.  March  for  2d  lieutenant,  their  com 
missions  being  dated  May  3,  1863.  2d  Sergt.  James  M.  Griffith  was 


68  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

then  promoted  to  1st  sergeant.  -The  three  other  sergeants  were  also 
promoted.  On  May  6,  1863,  1st  Corp.  Mariott  Brosius  was  pro 
moted  to  5th  sergeant,  the  remaining  corporals  being  also  promoted. 
Private  John  W.  Thompson  was  promoted  to  corporal.  2d  Sergt. 
David  P.  Thomas  was  discharged  for  disability,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  October  14,  1862.  3d  Sergt.  Underwood  was  promoted  to 
2d  sergeant.  The  other  sergeants  were  also  promoted  and  Corp. 
Channing  Brinton  was  designated  as  5th  sergeant.  The  dates  of 
subsequent  promotions  to  corporals  not  being  accurately  obtained, 
it  is  not  known  who  was  next  appointed  to  that  rank.  1st  Lieut. 
Samuel  V.  Black  was  promoted  to  captain,  to  rank  from  May  1, 
1864;  2d  Lieut.  Levi  L.  March  to  1st  lieutenant,  from  same  date, 
and  1st  Sergt.  James  M.  Griffith  was  recommended  for  promotion 
to  2d  lieutenant,  but  before  the  application  for  these  commissions 
could  be  forwarded  the  latter  was  mortally  wounded,  in  action, 
May  20,  at  Green  Plains,  Va.,  and  died  of  his  wounds  on  June  3, 
1864.  2d  Sergt.  William  S.  Underwood  was  promoted  to  1st  ser 
geant,  to  rank  from  May  1,  and,  upon  the  death  of  Lieut.  Griffith, 
he  was  recommended  for  promotion  to  2d  lieutenant,  to  rank  from 
May  1,  1864.  He  was  not  mustered  as  2d  lieutenant  on  account  of 
delay  in  receiving  his  commission.  On  July  30,  1st  Lieut.  Levi  L. 
March  was  mortally  wounded,  in  action,  at  the  battle  of  the  Mine, 
and  died  of  his  wounds,  after  the  amputation  of  an  arm  and  leg, 
August  13,  1864.  2d  Lieut.  Underwood  was  then  promoted  to  1st 
lieutenant,  and  was  mustered  upon  his  second  commission  only,  to 
rank  from  December  2,  1864.  There  was  no  immediate  promotion 
to  2d  lieutenant.  Capt.  Black  had  commanded  the  company  in  all 
the  engagements  of  the  James  River  operations  until  captured,  in 
action,  at  Deep  Bottom,  Va.,  August  16,  1864.  He  remained  a 
prisoner  until  paroled  in  April,  1865,  rejoined  the  company,  April 
10,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  and  was  honorably  discharged,  May  4,  1865, 
to  date  January  29,  1865,  expiration  of  term. 

After  the  capture  of  Capt.  Black,  the  command  of  the  company 
devolved  upon  1st  Lieut.  Underwood,  who  led  it  in  the  remaining 
engagements  before  Richmond  and  in  the  assault  upon  Fort  Fisher, 
and  was  of  the  number  who  received  recommendation  for  promotion 
for  gallantry,  in  orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  captain,  February  28,  1865,  and  continued  commanding 
officer  of  the  company  until  mustered  out,  August  28,  1865.  Wil 
liam  M.  Sullivan,  who  had  been  promoted  to  1st  sergeant  upon  the 


ORGANIZATION  OF  Guss  FENCIBLES  CORNET  BAND.  69 

promotion  of  1st  Sergt.  Underwood  to  2d  lieutenant,  was  promoted 
to  1st  lieutenant,  to  rank  from  February  28,  1865,  and  Sergt.  Mariott 
Brosius,  who  had  been  severely  wounded,  in  action,  May  20,  1864, 
at  Green  Plains,  Va.,  and  had  since  been  absent  in  United  States 
hospital,  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant.  Being  unable  to  perform 
active  duty,  he  was  discharged  from  the  service,  January  2,  1865, 
before  receiving  his  commission,  and  not  feeling  able  to  resume 
duty,  therefore  declined  to  be  mustered.  1st  Sergt.  J.  W.  Thomp 
son  was  subsequently  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant  and  mustered  on 
February  1,  1865.  Sergt.  J.  R.  Montgomery  was  then  promoted  to 
1st  sergeant. 

The  re-enlistment  of  veterans  in  this  company  amounted  to  thirty- 
seven.  Those  of  the  original  number  and  recruits  who  did  not  re- 
enlist  were  discharged,  at  the  expiration  of* their  term  of  service, 
and  returned  to  their  homes  in  October  and  November,  1864. 


Guss  FENCIBLES  CORNET  BAND. 

On  October  24,  1861,  the  regimental  band,  under  the  leadership 
of  John  H.  Taylor,  of  West  Chester,  assisted  by  George  Ellinger, 
of  Lancaster  City,  numbering  twenty-two  picked  musicians,  was 
mustered  into  service,  for  three  years,  as  the  Guss  Fencibles  Cornet 
Band.  A  part  of  these  men  had  been  previously  mustered  in  Com 
pany  H,  during  the  organization  of  that  company.  Upon  being 
transferred  to  the  band,  it  was  requisite  for  them  to  be  re-mustered. 
After  a  brief  period  of  practice  together,  a  degree  ot  proficiency  was 

manifested  that  soon  rendered  the  camp  more  attractive  from  the 
influence  of  enlivening  strains  of  music.  An  increased  interest  was 
also  added  to  guard  mounting  and  dress  parade,  giving  the  camp 
more  of  the  order  of  a  military  post  or  garrison,  where  every  duty 
was  duly  observed  in  accordance  with  army  regulations. 

During  the  time  the  band  remained  with  the  Regiment  it  continued 
a  feature  of  interest  that  often  gave  relief  to  the  monotony  of  duty, 
discoursing  melody  during  the  hours  of  evening  or  intervals  of  camp 
life,  when  no  other  influence  was  available  upon  which  the  thoughts 
might  rest  or  be  held  with  the  power  by  which  the  floating  notes 
of  some  familiar  air,  borne  upon  the  evening  breeze,  recalling  dear 
and  familiar  scenes,  rendered  them  still  more  dear.  While  the  joys 
of  the  far-off  home  and  all  its  endearing  and  holy  influences  were 


70  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

thus  brought  more  near,  inspiring  also  the  hope  of  the  good  time 
to  come  when  we  might  again  listen  to  the  dear  strains  of  "Home, 
sweet  home,"  and  "  When  this  cruel  war  is  over." 

The  band  was  discharged,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  August  31, 
1862,  in  accordance  with  General  Orders  No.  91,  from  the  War  De 
partment,  at  Washington.  A  few  of  the  men  joined  as  musicians 
to  fill  vacancies  in  the  companies,  but  most  of  them  returned  home. 
Some  re-entered  the  service.  All  such  as  were  ascertained  are  noted 
in  the  roster. 


INDEPENDENT  COMPANY. 

Toward  the  end  of  1864,  Col.  Pennypacker  received  notice,  from 
the  War  Department,  that  an  independent  company  had  been  as 
signed  to  his  Regiment,  from  Pennsylvania.  The  company,  how 
ever,  never  joined  the  Regiment  nor  became  identified  with  its 
services.  The  only  knowledge  of  its  existence  had  by  any  of 
the  officers  of  the  Regiment  was  subsequently  through  having  offi 
cial  communications  directed  to  the  Independent  Company,  97th 
Regiment  P.  V.,  and  through  unofficial  reports,  received  by  Col. 
Wainwright,  that  said  company  had  been  assigned  to  duty  in  Balti 
more.  Prof.  Bates,  in  his  State  History,  gives  the  roster  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  company  as  a  part  of  the  organization  of 
the  97th  Regiment  P.  V.  [See  Bates'  History,  Vol.  III.] 


CAMP   WAYNE,    WEST   CHESTER.  71 


CHAPTER  II. 

CAMP  WAYNE,  WEST  CHESTER;  CAMP  JONES  BROOKE,  WASHINGTON; 
CAMP  HAMILTON,  FORTRESS  MONROE,  OCTOBER  TO  DECEMBER,  1861. 

ECRUITING  proceeded  with  all  possible  diligence, 
at  Camp  Wayne,  during  September,  and  every  effort 
was  being  made  to  complete  the  organization  of  the 
Regiment  within  the  time  allotted.  About  eight 
hundred  men  had  been  enlisted  and  the  number  was 
being  daily  increased,  less  rapidly,  however,  than  was 
.desirable,  primarily  owing  to  the  check  put  upon 
the  spontaneous  offer  of  sevices  pouring  in  from  all 
parts  of  the  north,  followed  quickly  by  the  intro 
duction  of  a  system  of  bounties  deemed  essential  by  the  government 
to  promote  enlistments,  yet  which  in  reality  became  a  serious  check 
thereto,  as  it  became  evident  that  increased  bounties  were  to  be  re 
sorted  to  in  proportion  to  increased  demand  for  additional  troops. 
Men  now  waited  to  enlist  under  later  calls,  when  the  bounty  should 
reach  its  highest  limit,  it  becoming  evident  that  whatever  legislation 
was  probable  in  regard  to  bounties  would  be  entirely  prospective — 
benefiting  future  enlistments — rather  than  general,  and  retroactive 
in  a  spirit  of  just  appreciation  of  those  most  deserving  of  bounty, 
who  earliest  tendered  their  service  to  their  country  freely  without 
waiting  for  such  stimulus  to  awaken  their  patriotism. 

An  act  of  the  extra  session  of  the  State  Legislature  had  provided 
for  the  relief  of  families  of  volunteers  from  the  State.  The  question 
whether  such  relief  would  be  extended  to  the  families  of  the  men 
enlisted  in  regiments  accepted  directly  by  the  War  Department, 
being  now  raised,  also  tended  to  materially  retard  enlistments  in  the 
97th  Regiment.  In  order  to  obtain  the  views  of  the  members  of  the 
State  Legislature,  from  the  district,  upon  this  point,  the  following 
letter  was  authorized  to  be  addressed  to  the  members  of  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives  from  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties: 


12  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

WEST  CHESTER,  PA.,  September  4,  1861. 

HON.  JACOB  S.  SERRILL,  State  Senator,  HONS.  CALEB  PEIRCE,  WIL 
LIAM  T.  SHAFER,  ISAAC  ACKER  and  CHALKLEY  HARVEY,  Members 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
DEAR  SIRS:  It  is  desired  to  have  the  opinion  of  members  of  the 
late  Legislature  upon  the  bill,  passed  at  the  extra  session,  relative 
to  the  relief  of  families  of  volunteers  enlisted  in  the  war  for  the 
defence  of  the  Union.     Was  it  designed  that  companies  or  regi 
ments  enlisted  within  the  State,  which  have  been  accepted  by  the 
War  Department,  as  independent  companies  or  regiments,  should 
be  excluded  from  the  benefit  of  the  provisions  of  the  bill"?     Your 
views  will  greatly  interest  many  of  your  fellow  citizens. 

Very  truly,  yours,  ISAIAH  PRICE. 

It  is  not  remembered  whether  replies  were  received  from  all  the 
gentlemen  addressed.  The  two  following  are  found  among  the 
papers  preserved,  which,  expressing  opposite  views  upon  the  ques 
tion,  are  sufficient  to  indicate  the  embarrassment  thereby  occasioned 
to  enlistments  in  the  Regiment  at  the  time,  and  which  became  an 
influence  of  grave  consideration  in  finally  determining  the  question 
of  merging  the  Regiment  with  those  of  the  regularly  constituted 
State  organizations: 

DARBY,  PA.,  September  7,  1861. 
ISAIAH  PRICE,  ESQ. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  object  which  the  Legislature  had  in  view,  in  pass 
ing  the  act  for  the  relief  of  the  families  of  volunteers,  was  to  extend 
such  aid  to  those  dependent  upon  the  volunteer  for  support  as  might 
be  deemed  just  and  reasonable,  by  the  board  of  relief  constituted 
by  the  act  in  the  several  counties  of  the  State.  I  never  heard,  nor 
never  supposed,  that  any  distinction  was  contemplated  between 
those  who  entered  the  service  of  the  State  and  those  who  should  be 
directly  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States.  No  such 
discrimination,  in  favor  of  the  first,  was  intended  by  the  General 
Assembly,  and  any  construction  of  the  act  which  shall  exclude  from 
'its  benefit  the  family  of  any  citizen,  who  enters  the  service  of  his 
country,  is,  in  my  judgment,  a  violation  of  its  spirit  and  meaning, 
and  must  tend  to  retard  enlistment.  I  do  not  pretend  to  put  a 
legal  construction  upon  the  act,  but  speak  of  it  as  I  understood  it, 
and  the  purpose  which  it  was  designed  by  the  Legislature  to  effect. 
Thousands  of  men  who  have  joined  the  army  did  so  without  asking 


ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    REGIMENT.  73 

whether  it  was  the  State  or  the  United  States  service  they  were 
entering.  The  object  of  all  was  the  same.  They  are  fighting  for 
the  same  noble  cause  and  are  making  the  same  sacrifices  to  sustain 
it.  Why,  then,  should  those  have  any  greater  claim  to  the  aid  of 
the  State  than  the  others?  I  am  one  of  those  who  believe  that,  in 
a  struggle  like  that  in  which  we  are  now  engaged,  every  induce 
ment  should  be  held  out  for  enlisting,  and  the  premium  for  the 
relief  of  families  is  one  of  the  strongest  which  can  be  offered.  It 
removes  an  objection  which  would  properly  prevent  many  from 
becoming  soldiers.  It  is  true  that  the  aggregate  taxation  for  war 
purposes  may  seem  to  be  oppressive,  but  which  can  we  best  afford, 
to  pay  the  taxes  or  lose  the  government?  It  were  better  that  every 
acre  of  land  in  Pennsylvania  should  be  mortgaged  to  its  full  value 
than  that  the  cause  of  the  Union  should  fail!  Our  government 
should  be  dearer  to  us  than  our  property,  and  loyal  men  will  be 
willing  to  make  every  sacrifice  to  preserve  it. 

Trusting  that  the  application  of  this  law  may  be  as  broad  and 
general  as  it  was  designed  by  the  Legislature,  I  remain, 

Very  truly,  yours,  JACOB  S.  SERRILL. 

CHESTER  SPRINGS,  September  9,  1861. 
ISAIAH  PRICE,  ESQ. 

DEAR  SIR  ;  Yours  of  4th  instant  was  received  on  Saturday,  7th. 
I  was  of  opinion,  and  think  it  was  the  design  of  the  Legislature, 
that  all  volunteers,  to  secure  the  benefit  of  the  act,  must  first  be 
recognized  by  the  State  authorities.  The  twelfth  section  of  the  act 
makes  it  unlawful  for  any  volunteer  to  leave  the  Commonwealth 
unless  he  shall  have  been  first  accepted  by  the  Governor  under  a 
requisition  from  the  General  Government.  The  relief  committee  is 
restricted  in  their  work  of  benevolence  to  such  as  are  dependent 
upon  those  who  are  in  the  service  of  their  country,  under  orders 
from  the  State  authorities.  As  you  are  aware,  the  late  proclamation 
of  the  Governor  required  all  parts  of  companies,  etc.,  to  report  at 
Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania,  conscious  of  the  patriotism  of  her  sons, 
desires  that  all  who  enter  the  service  of  their  country  should  be 
known  and  recognized  officially  by  her,  that  all  may  partake  and 
enjoy  her  bounty. 

I  was  not  aware  until  very  recently  you  were  engaged  in  the  good 
work.     May  the  smiles  of  a  kind  Providence  ever  be  upon  you. 
Truly  yours,  WM.  T.  SHAFER. 


74  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

There  had,  about  this  time,  some  correspondence  taken  place,  be 
tween  Gov.  Curtin  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  regard  to  the 
companies  and  regiments  being  organized  in  the  State,  by  direct 
authority  of  the  latter,  independently  of  the  call  upon  the  State  for 
troops.  The  Governor  urging  the  claim  of  the  State  to  have  all 
the  troops  enlisted  and  commissioned  by  the  State  authorities,  pre 
vious  to  acceptance  by  the  War  Department;  which,  being  finally 
acquiesced  in,  the  Regiment  now  came  under  the  direction  of  the 
State  authorities,  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  Col.  Guss 
was  to  be  permitted  to  complete  its  organization  in  accordance  with 
the  original  design. 

The  number  designating  the  Regiment  had  at  first  been  under 
stood  to  be  the  42th  P.  V.,  but  owing  to  that  number  being 
already  assigned  upon  the  State  records  to  another  regiment,  it  was 
designated  by  Gov.  Curtin  as  the  Ninety-seventh  Regiment  Penn 
sylvania  Volunteers. 

Augustus  P.  Duer,  of  Penningtonville,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  who  had 
been  appointed  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Regiment,  by  Col.  Guss, 
was  mustered  on  the  7th  of  October,  together  with  Maj.  G.  Penny- 
packer,  by  Lieut.  Col.  C.  F.  Ruff,  United  States  mustering  officer 
of  the  district.  Dr.  John  R.  Everhart,  of  West  Chester,  and  Dr 
George  W.  Miller,  of  Philadelphia,  were  mustered  as  surgeon  and 
assistant  surgeon,  respectively,  on  October  14.  1st  Lieut.  Henry 
W.  Carruthers,  of  Company  C,  was  mustered  as  adjutant,  October 
31,  1861,  and  1st  Lieut.  David  Jones,  Company  H,  as  quarter 
master,  on  the  same  date. 

To  complete  the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  on  October  29, 
Col.  Guss  had  designated  the  following  non-commissioned  staff  offi 
cers  from  the  enlisted  men  of  Regiment,  who  were  transferred  to 
the  roster  of  the  field  and  staff:  hospital  steward,  Harmon  Heed, 
of  Company  H;  sergeant  major,  George  A.  Lemaistre,  of  Company 
H ;  quarter-master  sergeant,  James  T.  Skiles,  of  Company  B ;  com 
missary  sergeant,  Thomas  McKay,  of  Company  A;  drum  major, 
James  St.  John,  Sr.,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  fife  major,  Casper  C. 
Fahnestock,  of  Paoli,  Chester  Co.  These  field  and  non-commis 
sioned  staff  officers  had  performed  the  duties  of  their  respective  po 
sitions,  during  the  progress  of  the  organization,  by  virtue  of  verbal 
appointment  from  Col.  Guss. 

George  Kirk,  of  Easttown,  Chester  Co.,  and  John  F.  Forrest, 
of  Delaware  County,  received  the  appointment  of  sutlers.  The 


ORGANIZATION   OF   THE    REGIMENT   COMPLETED.  75 

former  remained  with  the  Regiment  until  January,  1862,  when  he 
was  obliged  to  return  home,  from  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  owing  to 
failing  health  from  the  influence  of  the  Southern  climate.  Mr. 
Forrest  continued  with  the  Regiment  a  much  longer  period  and  be 
came  fully  identified  with  its  interest  and  success,  providing  the 
necessary  supplies  for  the  comfort  of  the  men  and  also  a  substantial 
fund,  arising  from  a  percentage  upon  his  sales,  which  became  a 
basis  for  the  monumental  fund.  Rev.  William  M.  Whitehead,  of 
New  Centreville,  Chester  Co.,  was  appointed  chaplain,  by  Col.  Guss, 
about  the  time  the  Regiment  left  Camp  Wayne,  the  date  of  his 
muster  being  November  19,  1861,  which  must  have  been  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C. 

Eight  companies  of  the  Regiment  had  now  (October  29)  reached 
the  requisite  number  of  men  duly  mustered  into  each  company. 
Companies  I  and  K  yet  lacked  the  aggregate  to  entitle  them  to  the 
muster  of  all  their  officers.  Until  these  were  obtained,  Col.  Guss 
was  also  delayed,  being  mustered  some  months  after  the  Regiment 
reached  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  He,  however,  entered  fully  upon  the 
command  of  his  Regiment  from  October  29,  from  which  date  the 
Regiment  was  considered  an  organized  command.  The  first  official 
order  to  his  Regiment  was  issued  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  October  15, 
1861,  as  follows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  97TH  P.  V.,  CAMP  WAYNE, 

WEST  CHESTER,  PA.,  October  15,  1861. 
Special  Orders  No.  1. 

Augustus  P.  Duer  having  been  duly  mustered  in  as  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  Capt.  Galusha  Pennypacker  as  major  of  the  97th  Regi 
ment  P.  V.,  they  will  accordingly  assume  their  respective  duties, 
Wednesday  morning,  October  16,  instant. 

The  officers  and  men  composing  this  Regiment  will  respect  and 
obey  them  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  articles  of  war  as  laid 
down  in  United  States  Army  regulations. 

Lieut.  Col.  Duer  will  take  command  of  Camp  Wayne,  at  9  o'clock 
A.  M.,  on  the  16th  inst.,  and  issue  such  orders  as  may  be  necessary 
for  camp  regulations.  1st  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Carruthers  will  be  tem 
porarily  detailed  as  adjutant. 

By  order  of  HENRY  R.  Guss,  Colonel  97th  P.  V. 

[Signed]       HENRY  Wr.  CARRUTHERS,  1st  Lieut.,  Acting  Adjutant. 


76  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

Lieut.  Col.  Duer  relieved  Maj.  Pennypacker  in  the  command  of 
Camp  Wayne,  as  designated  in  the  above  order.  Regimental  orders 
were  now  duly  issued  as  occasion  required.  The  camp  was  be 
coming  each  day  a  place  of  increasing  interest. 

The  companies  having  muskets  were  regularly  drilled,  in  the 
manual  of  arms,  by  their  officers.  All  the  companies  were  regularly 
exercised  in  the  various  movements  required  to  prepare  them  for 
the  service,  from  four  to  six  hours  each  day  being  thus  occupied. 

Schools  of  instruction  for  officers  were  organized  and  kept  up  at 
various  periods  subsequently  during  the  term  of  service.  The  in 
struction  for  officers  was  mainly  devoted  to  the  school  of  the  com 
pany  and  the  battalion,  and  occupied  one  or  more  evenings  each 
week.  The  school  for  officers  was  conducted  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss, 
during  the  early  period  of  the  service,  and  subsequently  by  Maj. 
G.  Pennypacker.  The  schools  for  non-commissioned  officers  were 
conducted  by  a  commissioned  officer  of  each  company,  being  devoted 
chiefly  to  the  school  of  the  soldier  and  the  company. 

After  the  first  four  companies  had  progressed  sufficiently  in  com 
pany  drill,  singly,  battalion  drill  was  commenced  and  continued 
regularly  while  at  Camp  Wayne,  commanded  either  by  Col.  H.  R. 
Guss,  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  or  the  senior 
captain  present.  Dress  parade  daily,  and  the  usual  weekly  inspec 
tion  of  arms,  quarters,  etc.,  as  prescribed  by  the  army  regulations, 
was  conducted  every  Sunday  morning. 

During  this  period,  it  was  the  constant  aim  of  the  commanding 
officer,  and  also  of  the  company  officers,  to  secure  the  advantages 
of  perfect  drill  and  discipline  for  the  Regiment,  at  the  outset,  in 
order  to  render  it  most  efficient  for  the  service  upon  which  it  was 
about  to  enter. 

These  efforts  caused  the  camp  soon  to  present  the  daily  routine  of 
duties  appertaining  to  a  well-appointed  military  post;  having  effi 
cient  guards,  regularly  posted  and  relieved  in  due  form,  regular 
hours  appointed  for  drill  of  companies,  and  of  squads  of  recruits 
acquiring  proficiency  in  the  first  movements  of  a  soldier's  training. 
These  influences  naturally  resulted  in  the  attainment  of  a  degree  of 
discipline  alike  creditable  to  both  officers  and  men. 

The  varied  calls,  designating  the  hours  for  the  usual  camp  duties, 
guard  mounting,  drills,  parades,  etc.,  were  regularly  observed  as 
prescribed,  and  the  entire  camp  and  quarters  kept  in  thorough  order 


VISITORS   AT    CAMP   WAYNE.  77 

by  the  men,  tending  to  impress  a  proper  appreciation  of  sanitary 
regulations  of  great  value  in  after  service. 

While  at  Camp  Wayne,  the  men  were  visited  by  friends  from  the 
surrounding  district,  who  brought  abundance  of  supplies,  substan- 
tials  and  delicacies,  for  the  comfort  of  those  who  were  soon  to  leave 
homes  and  friends  to  encounter  the  perils  of  war. 

The  battalion  drills  and  dress  parades  became  occasions  of  such 
interest  to  the  families  and  friends  of  the  men,  and  to  the  citizens 
generally,  as  to  attract  thousands  daily  to  witness  them.  Of  these, 
the  most  interested  spectators  were  ladies:  mothers,  wives,  daughters 
and  sisters,  who  came  daily  to  meet  a  son,  husband,  father,  brother, 
or  one  held,  perhaps,  as  dear  to  her  heart  as  by  any  of  these  ties  of 
kindred,  coming  to  behold  them  again,  and  for  brief  moments  to 
enjoy  sweet  and  loving  communion  with  their  dear  ones,  before  they 
should  go  forth  to  meet  their  country's  foes  in  deadly  conflict.  Who 
shall  measure  the  depth  of  that  interest  that  brought,  day  after  day, 
to  witness  these  preparations,  those  whose  hearts,  bleeding  with  an 
guish  silently,  could  yet  smile  through  their  tears  and  bravely  bid 
their  loved  ones  God  speed,  burying  in  the  all-absorbing  present 
the  deep  agonies  of  uncertainty  that  must  for  long  years  cloud  the 
heavens  and  the  earth  about  their  lives,  as  they  bear  the  burden  of 
its  duties  with  patience  and  hope,  in  lonely  vacant  homes,  while 
their  hearts  must  ever  continue  to  reach  out  toward  these  loved  ones, 
thus  given  up  to  their  country  in  her  time  of  need,  with  an  unrest 
which  only  their  return  can  satisfy. 

Many  contributions  of  blankets,  stockings,  and  other  articles  of 
utility  and  comfort,  were  brought  to  the  camp  and  distributed  to  the 
men  by  their  friends.  Some  of  the  companies  were  the  recipients  of 
such  favors  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  particulars  of  which  cannot 
now  be  ascertained.  Company  C  received  one  hundred  and  one 
pairs  of  heavy  woolen  stockings,  knit  by  ladies  interested  in  that 
company,  some  of  which  were  knit  by  Rachel  Sharpless,  a  minister 
in  the  society  of  Friends,  then  in  her  eighty-fifth  year,  two  of  her 
grandsons  being  members  of  that  company  and  three  others  in 
other  regiments  in  the  service. 

While  at  Camp  Everhart,  Company  A  was  the  recipient  of  many 
favors  from  the  citizens  of  West  Chester.  A  series  of  resolutions 
were  drawn  up  by  the  members  of  that  company,  tendering  sincere 
thanks  to  Mrs.  David  McConkey,  Mrs.  Phebe  Evans,  Mrs.  Lieut. 
Louis  Y.  Evans,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lemuel  Kinney,  and  Mr.  William 


78  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

Maris,  for  their  many  acts  of  kindness  in  furnishing,  on  various 
occasions,  bountiful  supplies  of  edibles,  and  to  the  Rev.  James  R. 
Anderson,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  West  Chester, 
since  deceased,  for  a  supply  of  Testaments  and  other  religious 
reading  matter. 

The  different  companies  of  the  Regiment  were  frequently  taken 
by  their  company  commanders,  on  Sunday  mornings  and  evenings, 
to  service,  at  the  various  churches  of  West  Chester,  and,  upon  a  few 
occasions,  to  Friends'  meeting,  arrangements  being  previously  made 
to  have  the  men  seated  in  a  body.  Their  deportment  upon  these 
occasions  was  uniformly  orderly  and  attentive,  evincing  a  proper 
regard  for  the  object  of  their  going.  Many  of  the  discourses  to 
which  they  were  privileged  to  listen  were  impressively  addressed  to 
the  deep  and  serious  importance  of  the  duties  and  the  dangers  of  the 
service  upon  which  they  were  about  to  enter,  demanding  of  them 
most  serious  consideration,  and  urging  the  necessity  of  an  individual 
reliance  upon  the  Divine  power,  which  alone  was  sufficient  to  sustain 
them  in  the  midst  of  their  perilous  and  arduous  future.  The  under 
lying  influences  of  the  cause  in  which  they  were  called  to  serve 
were  set  forth,  showing  that  a  last  effort  toward  supremacy  in  the 
national  control,  by  a  power  hostile  to  the  principles  upon  which 
the  goverment  was  founded,  had  now  resorted  to  the  force  of  arms 
in  resistance  to  the  constituted  authorities,  devolving  the  duty  upon 
every  true  citizen  to  aid  in  maintenance  of  the  national  integrity. 
Patriotism  was  the  watchword  and  the  text  of  the  faith  preached 
in  those  days,  like  Cromwell's  advice  to  his  soldiers,  ';  to  trust  in 
God  and  keep  their  powder  dry." 

On  October  29,  orders  were  issued  for  the  first  regular  inspection 
of  the  Regiment,  to  be  held  on  October  30.  Every  man  was  re 
quired  to  be  in  ranks  with  clothing  in  knapsacks  and  all  other 
accoutrements  on.  The  inspection  was  duly  made  by  Col.  Guss, 
accompanied  by  his  field  officers.  It  was  a  new  experience  to  many 
of  the  officers  and  to  most  of  the  men,  but  was  quite  gratifying  to 
all,  as  the  men  were  in  excellent  order,  with  every  part  of  outfit 
new  and  complete,  wanting  only  the  experience  of  usage  and  self- 
confidence  to  become  a  regiment  of  the  first  order,  a  credit  to  them 
selves  and  their  experienced  commander. 

On  Tuesday,  November  12,  1861,  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin,  accompanied 
by  the  members  of  his  staff,  visited  Camp  Wayne  for  the  purpose 
of  presenting  a  stand  of  colors  to  the  97th  Regiment. 


1861  1  FLAG    PRESENTATION   BY   GOVERNOR   CURTIN.  79 

In  accordance  with  previous  arrangement,  the  Governor  was  met, 
at  Oakland  Station,  upon  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  by  a  commit 
tee  of  citizens  appointed  at  a  town  meeting  on  the  evening  previous. 
The  following  gentlemen  accompanied  the  Governor:  Lieut.  Col. 
John  A.  Wright,  Lieut.  Col.  J.  B.  Price,  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  S. 
Bell,  51st  P.  V.,  Lieut.  Col.  Charles  Hay,  Paymaster  Gen.  Henry 
D.  Maxwell,  Commissary  Gen.  William  W.  Irwin,  Auditor  Gen. 
Thomas  E.  Cochran,  Col.  Joseph  H.  Wilson,  of  the  101st  P.  V. 
(then  organizing  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg),  Col.  Samuel  B. 
Thomas,  Deputy  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  Capt.  Charles  M. 
Donovan,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Surgeon  Gen.  H.  H.  Smith. 

As  the  distinguished  visitors  arrived  opposite  the  Hill  Meeting 
House,  on  High  Street,  they  were  met  by  Col.  Guss,  who  had 
inarched  his  Regiment  to  that  point  for  the  purpose  of  escorting  the 
Governor  and  suite  to  the  Court  House,  where  they  arrived  at  12.30 
P.  M.  The  Governor  was  received  in  a  very  neat  and  appropriate 
speech  by  Joseph  J.  Lewis.  Esq.,  which  was  responded  to  by  the 
Governor,  in  his  usual  felicitous  manner,  thanking  the  citizens  of 
West  Chester  for  their  very  kind  reception.  Further  ceremonies 
were  then  deferred  until  after  the  Governor  and  suite  had  dined. 

At  about  3  P.  M.,  Gov.  Curtin  and  staff,  with  the  other  guests, 
arrived  at  Camp  Wayne,  where  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens 
had  preceded  them. 

The  Regiment  was  formed  in  column  by  division  closed  in  mass 
in  front  of  the  stand,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Fair  buildings.  The 
people  had  crowded  around  the  reserved  space  with  such  eagerness 
as  to  render  it  difficult  for  the  guard  to  keep  clear  sufficient  room 
for  the  reception  committee  and  those  who  were  to  take  part  in  the 
proceedings. 

When  all  had  been  arranged,  the  Governor  came  forward,  un 
covered,  holding  the  staff  upon  which  waved  the  beautiful  stars  and 
stripes  of  the  flag  he  was  about  to  entrust  to  the  keeping  of  the 
Regiment,  as  its  banner,  around  which  to  rally  when  led  forth  into 
the  performance  of  whatever  duty  an  imperiled  country  might  de 
mand,  and,  in  these  words,  consigned  it  to  the  Regiment: 

Fellow  citizens  and  soldiers:  I  am  here  to-day  for  the  perform 
ance  of  an  official  duty.  The  Legislature  of  our  State,  at  its  late 
session,  provided  that  regimental  flags  should  be  procured  and  pre 
sented  to  the  brave  men  who  should  go  out  from  the  State  for  the 


80  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

defence  of  the  National  Government.  This  is  one  of  many  like 
occasions  in  which  I  have  appeared  before  the  soldiers  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  and  I  can  truly  say  that  no  other  has  had  associations  more 
inspiring  to  the  patriotic  breast,  or  more  calculated  to  stir  within 
me  emotions  of  pride  for  my  native  State,  with  its  glowing  histories, 
its  continual  progress  for  so  many  years,  and  its  present  devotion  to 
the  principles  of  truth  and  justice  in  which  its  foundations  were 
laid. 

I  cannot  stand  here  to-day  without  remembering  that,  in  the 
year  1682,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  the  proprietors  and  founders 
of  the  province  enacted,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  delegates 
assembled,  the  first  body  of  laws  for  the  government  of  Pennsyl 
vania;  those  laws  which,  in  their  first  lines,  recognized  that  from 
the  Almighty  come  all  gifts  of  truth  and  justice,  and  the  provisions 
of  which  so  clearly  recognized  an  abiding  faith  in  the  principles 
which  their  makers  professed.  Nor  can  I  forget  that  in  this  county 
of  Chester  were  enacted  some  of  the  most  trying  scenes  that  illus 
trated  so  forcibly  the  bravery  and  steadfastness  of  the  soldiers  of 
that  period. 

To  the  great  army  of  the  Revolution  she  gave,  too,  one  of  its 
bravest  leaders.  No  general  stood  more  highly  in  the  confidence 
of  the  Father  of  his  Country,  none  did  more  valiant  or  better  ser 
vice,  than  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne.  We  are  now  assembled  within 
a  few  miles  of  his  birthplace,  not  far  from  the  spot  in  which  he 
spent  much  of  his  life;  the  place,  too,  of  his  death  and  burial. 
Chester  County  has  not  forgotten  him,  and  his  name,  made  so  glo 
rious  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in  the  great  contest  for  the 
establishment  of  a  government  upon  a  basis  which  thoroughly  re 
cognized  the  right  of  man  to  self-government.  That  name,  I  find, 
is  now  inscribed  upon  the  roll  of  your  Regiment  and  that  you  have 
a  Wayne  as  one  of  your  captains. 

I  am  gratified  to  see,  too,  that  another  Revolutionary  name  has 
its  representatives  in  your  ranks:  two  lineal  descendants  of  that 
John  Morton,  who  was  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
are  lieutenants  in  another  company.  These  facts  show  that  the 
patriotic  fervor,  which  warmed  the  men  of  the  olden  times,  still 
burns  in  the  hearts  of  their  descendants,  who  are  now  ready  to  die 
in  the  defence  of  those  same  principles  for  which  their  ancestors 
risked  their  lives  and  encountered  the  hardships  of  the  battle  field. 

Here,  too,  we  are  in  the  vicinity  of  Brandywine,  Paoli  and  Valley 


1861-1  SPEECH    OF   GOVERNOR  CURT1N.  81 

Forgo;  and  here,  indeed,  we  cannot  but  feel  that  we  are  treading 
upon  classic  ground. 

Hut,  citizen  soldiers,  while  we  thus  dwell  for  a  moment  upon  the 
memories  of  the  glorious  past,  we  may  not  close  our  eyes  to  the  stern 
realities  of  the  present  time. 

You  are  here  to-day  prepared  to  go  forth  and  battle  for  the  main 
tenance  of  those  constitutional  rights  which  were  transmitted  by 
your  ancestors,  and  for  the  prostration  of  which  more  than  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  thousand  rebels  stand  arrayed. 

You  have  voluntarily  left  your  homes  and  firesides,  the  compa 
nions  and  scenes  of  your  youthful  days,  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the 
probable  trials  and  vicissitudes  of  a  soldier's  life,  that  you  may  aid, 
to  the  extent  of  your  ability,  in  restoring  to  its  original  condition 
that  Government  which  was  fought  for  by  the  most  courageous  band 
of  warriors,  and  at  length  triumphantly  established  by  the  wisest 
and  most  prudent  statesmen  the  world  lias  ever  known. 

Your  mission  is  not  of  conquest,  is  not  for  spoils  and  rapine. 
You  will  go  into  those  States  where  rebellion  rears  her  haughty 
head  erect,  holding  out  to  those  who  are  loyal  at  heart  and  want 
but  the  opportunity  to  display  their  fidelity  as  citizens,  offering  to 
such  as  these  our  Constitution,  full,  perfect  and  operative,  as  it  has 
been  adopted  by  the  chosen  representatives  of  the  whole  people  of 
the  United  States. 

It  is  for  this  you  are  contending;  for  this  you  are  ready  to  lay 
down  your  lives.  But,  to  the  persistent  rebel,  to  the  traitor  who 
would  strike  at  this  Constitution,  and  who  seeks  to  destroy  this 
most  excellent  Government,  this  glorious  Constitution,  this  national 
fabric,  to  him  you  offer  the  dread  retribution  of  the  sword  or  the 
rope  of  the  executioner. 

Yours  is  not  a  revolutionary  struggle — you  wish  to  build  up  and 
not  destrov.  In  such  a  cause,  with  such  antecedents  of  sacrifice  and 

J 

devotion  for  the  sake  of  constitutional  liberty,  with  such  prospects 
of  a  far-extending  future,  beneath  the  influence  of  its  institutions,, 
I  do  most  heartily  say  God  speed. 

But  I  cannot  be  unmindful,  whilst  thus  offering  you  words  of 
encouragement,  of  the  serious  reflections  that  must  come  home  to  the 
heart  of  each  of  you.  You  leave  at  home,  a  mother,  a  sister,  a  wife; 
or  a  child ;  you  are  about  to  part  from  friends  that  are  dear ;  you 
know  that  the  warrior's  path  is  beset  with  dangers,  and  that  many 
a  day  of  fatiguing  labor,  many  a  night  of  sleeplessness,  will  be  the 
6 


82  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        ["November, 

inevitable  lot  of  a  soldier's  life;  but  yours  is  the  virtue  that  can  feel 
and  know  all  this,  yet,  for  the  sake  of  truth  and  justice,  encounter 
all  these  perils  in  their  most  trying  forms.  It  is  this  virtue  which 
makes  your  position  so  elevated,  as  it  proves  that  you  are  worthy 
of  your  sires  and  the  place  which  gave  you  birth;  that  you  are  fit 
recipients  of  the  flag  of  your  country,  which,  by  the  direction  of 
the  Legislature,  I  now  entrust  to  your  keeping.  Take,  then,  this 
flag;  upon  its  blue  field  is  placed  the  coat  of  arms  of  Pennsylvania, 
surrounded  by  the  thirty-four  stars  emblematic  of  the  States  of  the 
whole  Union. 

It  is  the  flag  of  your  fathers  and  of  your  country.  It  will  be  yours 
to  bear  it  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  and  to  defend  it  to  the  last. 
Upon  its  return,  it  will  have  inscribed  upon  it  the  record  of  those 
battles  through  which  you  have  carried  it,  and  will  become  a  part 
of  the  archives  of  Pennsylvania;  and  there  it  will  remain,  through 
all  coming  time,  a  witness  to  your  children  and  your  children's 
children  of  the  valor  of  their  fathers.  With  full  confidence  that  in 
your  hands  this  banner  will  never  be  disgraced,  I  entrust  it  to  your 
care  and  for  the  last  time  bid  you  farewell 

At  the  conclusion,  the  flag  was  received  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  who 
said  to  the  Governor : 

I  have  asked  the  adjutant  of  the  Regiment,  Lieut.  Henry  W. 
Carruthers,  to  make  the  reply  to  your  eloquent  address,  feeling  sure 
he  will  more  adequately  express  what  1  desire  to  say  than  I  could, 
speaking  being  more  in  his  line  than  mine. 

Adjt.  Carruthers  then  came  forward  and  replied  to  the  eloquent 
sentiments  of  the  Governor  as  follows: 

Governor:  On  behalf  of  Col.  Guss  and  the  Ninety-seventh  Regi 
ment,  I  receive  from  your  excellency's  hands  this  beautiful  flag, 
the  emblem  of  our  country's  nationality.  I  have  no  language  to 
delineate  the  emotions  that  throb  within  each  soldier's  breast  at 
this  mark  of  confidence  reposed  by  the  grand  old  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania  in  them,  her  citizens.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  we 
thank  you  with  overflowing  hearts;  and  although  we  desire  to 
make  no  idle  boasts,  and  although  we  profess  mainly  to  be  citizens 
of  a  quiet  agricultural  district  in  the  Commonwealth  founded  by 


18G1j  REPLY   OF    ADJUTANT   CARRUTHERS.  83 

Penn,  tlie  Apostle  of  Peace,  yet  it  shall  be  our  endeavor  to  rally 
around  this  standard  with  a  sincere  devotion  truly  worthy  of  the 
great  cause.  We  shall  endeavor  to  bear  it  victoriously  aloft,  high 
above  the  smoke  and  turmoil  of  battle,  and  unpolluted  by  the  touch 
of  an  inimical  hand;  and  here,  in  your  august  presence,  before  this 
multitude,  composed  of  beauty  and  manhood,  in  the  heart  of  a 
county  rendered  famous  and  classic  by  Revolutionary  scenes,  and 
by  the  names  of  Brandywine,  Paoli  and  Valley  Forge,  we  this  day 
devote  our  strongest  efforts  and,  if  need  be,  our  lives  to  the  defence 
of  liberty  and  republican  government.  Again,  your  excellency,  re 
presenting  the  teeming  millions  of  the  Keystone  State,  has  addressed 
us  with  words  of  encouragement,  with  words  of  compliment  and 
words  of  hope.  We  thank  you  for  them;  we  feel  proud  that  we  are 
Pennsylvanians ;  we  admire  her  patriotism;  we  glory  in  her  strength; 
we  rejoice  at  her  prosperity  and  boast  of  her  elements  of  greatness 
and  empire;  yet  we  derive  a  greater  satisfaction  from  the  i'act  that 
we  are  American  citizens,  subjects  of  a  Government  founded  by 
\Vashington,  and  rather  than  be  less  "we  would  be  dogs  and  bay 
the  moon." 

A  government  so  free  can  never  be  destroyed;  a  cause  so  glorious 
as  its  defence  cannot  but  be  victorious.  How  clear  it  is  to  the 
people  is  evidenced  by  the  patriotic  host  that,  at  the  first  tocsin  of 
alarm,  gathered  around  her  planet  standard  with  a  spirit  more 
eager  for  the  fray  than  the  wild  retainers  of  the  Macgregor's  Scot 
tish  clan.  We  desire  to  be  numbered  with  them,  and,  like  the 
idoli/ed  Harry  of  the  West,  we  believe  that  the  colors  which  float 
from  this  standard  should  be  the  credentials  of  every  freeman;  and 
we  shall  stand  erect  whilst  life  endures,  with  a  spirit  undaunted, 
ready  to  second  the  efforts  of  the  Administration  in  behalf  of 
liberty,  the  Union  and  the  national  prosperity. 

The  exercises  of  the  day,  which  were  no  less  impresssive  than  in 
teresting  throughout,  concluded  with  a  review  of  the  Regiment,  by 
Gov.  Curtin  and  staff.  The  movements  of  the  companies  exhibited 
very  creditable  attainment  in  drill  and  discipline,  and  Col.  Guss 
was  deservedly  complimented  for  the  exactitude  of  all  their  move 
ments. 

On  November  12,  Col.  Guss  received,  from  Gov.  Curtin,  verbal 
orders  to  hold  his  Regiment  in  readiness  to  proceed  to  Washington^ 
D.  C.,  within  a  very  few  days.  Preparations  were  immediately  com- 


84 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[October, 


menced  for  departure.  The  camp  became  the  scene  of  still  greater 
interest  and  activity  as  the  time  for  parting  drew  near.  The  drill 
and  regular  order  of  duty  were  suspended  to  allow  the  men  all 
possible  time  with  their  friends  in  the  camp.  Many  touching  and 
tender  incidents  of  parting  occurred  which  were  too  sacred  for 
portrayal  by  the  historic  pen. 

On  November  15,  final  marching  orders  were  received.  Early  on 
the  morning  of  the  16th,  the  Regiment  marched  out  of  Camp 
Wayne  and  passed  through  the  principal  streets  of  West  Chester 
to  the  depot  of  the  Philadelphia  and  West  Chester  Railroad.  Pass 
ing  along  the  route,  the  citizens  and  friends  of  the  Regiment 
thronged  the  sidewalks,  crowding  the  way,  eager  to  press  through 
to  give  a  last  embrace  and  adieu  to  near  and  dear  ones.  From 


THE    COOPEIl    SHOP   VOLUNTEER    REFRESHMENT    SALOON    AND    HOSPITAL. 

the  windows  waved  the  hands  and  banners  of  many  fair  ones  who 
scattered  bouquets  and  flowers  as  they  bade  their  adieus  and  God 
speed.  The  scene  was  imposing  and  impressive  as  the  march  con 
tinued.  On  Church  Street,  a  halt  was  made  to  partake  of  a  lunch 
of  coffee  and  sandwiches  provided  by  the  citizens.  All  along  the 
route  to  the  depot,  the  sway  of  greeting  hands,  waving  of  hand 
kerchiefs,  and  the  murmur  of  thousands  of  voices  mingled  in  last 
adieus,  found  at  length  its  culmination,  breaking  forth  in  hearty 
cheers  for  the  boys  in  blue  as  the  train  took  its  departure  at 
11.20  A.  M. 


1861  ] 


DEPARTURE    FROM    CAMP    WAYNE. 


s:, 


At  the  stations,  on  the  way  to  Philadelphia,  many  of  the  friends 
of  the  Uejnment  were  collected,  who  cheered  and  shouted  adieus  as 

O 

the  train  sped  past.  Arrived  at  West  Philadelphia  at  12.45  P.M. 
Marched  thence  to  the  Cooper  Shop  Refreshment  Saloon,  at  Otsego 
Street  and  Washington  Avenue  (four  miles),  and  were  there  re 
freshed  by  the  kind  hospitality  of  that  committee  and  of  the  Union 
Refreshment  Committee,  whose  united  efforts  to  provide  for  the  com 
fort  of  the  soldiers  passing  through  Philadelphia  were  crowned 
with  such  remarkable  success  as  to  have  placed  the  loyal  liberality 
of  her  citizens  most  prominent  as  a  feature  of  importance  during 
the  war,  rendering  those  places  dear  and  familiar  to  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  who  were  refreshed  by  the  way,  both  going  to  and 
returning  from  the  front.  From  the  saloons,  marched  to  the  depot 
of  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Railroad,  and  at 
5  30  P.  M.  started  for  Washington. 


THE  UNION   VOLUNTEER   REFRESHMENT   SALOON. 

While  on  the  march  up  Washington  Avenue  to  the  depot,  Mrs. 
Mary  St.  John,  familiarly  known  as  "  Mother  St.  John,"  joined  the 
Regiment,  as  laundress,  her  home  being  in  Philadelphia.  She  was 
the  wife  of  Drum  Maj.  James  St.  John.  Her  two  youngest  sons  were 
also  members  of  the  Regiment.  She  remained  continuously  with 
the  Regiment  until  the  spring  of  1864,  rendering  valuable  services 
to  the  sick  and  wounded.  Her  conduct  was  always  such  as  to  merit 
and  receive  the  respect  of  all,  and  her  presence  in  the  camp  was 
ever  the  guarantee  of  some  desirable  comfort  that  could  not  other 
wise  have  been  obtained. 

At  Chester,  Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  many  of  the  friends  of  the  Regi 
ment  had  gathered  to  give  them  a  parting  greeting,  Companies  D, 


86  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [November. 

G  and  I  being  from  Delaware  County.  At  Wilmington,  Del.,  also, 
a  large  number  came  to  see  the  Regiment  pass  and  have  another 
good-bye.  Here  all  were  left  behind  who  had  any  personal  interest 
in  the  Regiment,  yet,  along  the  entire  route  to  Baltimore  and  Wash 
ington,  cheers  and  enthusiasm  everywhere  greeted  the  coming  of 
another  regiment  to  the  national  defence. 

Arrived  at  Baltimore  at  5.30  A.  M.,  November  17,  and  marched 
from  the  President  Street  Depot,  through  the  city,  over  the  route 
along  which  the  6th  Massachusetts  Regiment  passed,  on  April  19, 
when  fired  upon  by  the  rebel  mob.  The  streets  were  now  almost 
deserted.  Occasionally,  however,  the  sight  of  the  old  flag,  waving 
from  the  upper  windows,  gave  cheering  indication  of  a  remnant  of 
loyalty  as  we  passed  along.  The  rebel  element  was,  however,  still 
more  evident  in  the  skulking  sullenness  of  the  few  observed  peering 
from  alleys  and  byways  along  the  route. 

Left  Baltimore  at  8.30  A.  M.  Arrived  at  Washington  at  3  P.  M., 
having  been  delayed  awaiting  trains  passing  north  from  Washington. 
The  railroad  from  Havre  de  Grace  to  Washington  was  picketed 
and  guarded  by  a  strong  force,  stationed  at  intervals,  from  which  the 
guards  were  distributed. 

The  Regiment  partook  of  a  lunch,  provided  at  the  Soldiers'  Rest, 
adjoining  the  depot,  and  afterwards  marched  to  an  open  lot  half  a 
mile  north  of  the  Capitol,  where  tents  were  pitched  for  the  first 
time  at  dusk  on  November  17,  1861.  The  camp  was  named  Camp 
Jones  Brooke,  in  honor  of  Hon.  H.  Jones  Brooke,  whose  influence 
had  aided  the  Regiment  in  its  organization. 

The  sharp  cold  wind  of  that  November  evening  swept  keenly 
over  the  unsheltered  men  while  waiting  for  the  teams  to  bring  up 
the  tents.  But  none  complained  of  hardship,  the  men  seeming  im 
pressed  with  the  feeling  that  such  inconveniences  were  a  part  of  a 
soldier's  life  to  be  endured  uncomplainingly.  The  weather  remained 
very  cold  for  several  days,  but  the  men  being  in  good  spirits  and  all 
well,  except  a  few  who  had  taken  slight  colds,  there  was  but  little 
inconvenience  suffered. 

The  healthy  condition  of  our  men  was  noticed,  upon  arriving  at 
Washington,  in  this  wise:  A  medical  officer  came  to  Dr.  Everhart 
and  pointed  out  the  ambulances  for  conveyance  of  the  sick.  Upon 
Dr.  Everhart  saying,  "  We  have  no  sick,"  he  seemed  astonished  and 
said  this  was  the  first  regiment  that  had  arrived  in  Washington 
with  less  than  ten  or  twelve  to  be  taken  to  the  hospital.  Other 


1861  -1  CAMP   JONES    BROOKE,    WASHINGTON.  87 

officers  and  citizens,  who  were  present  when  the  Regiment  arrived, 
expressed  the  opinion  that  it  had  the  most  robust  and  healthy- 
looking  men  that  had  reached  Washington.  The  same  opinion  was 
expressed  to  officers  of  the  Regiment  while  in  Baltimore. 

On  November  '20,  the  Regiment  was  marched  to  the  Washing 
ton  arsenal,  where  the  companies  which  had  been  previously  armed 
with  the  old  muskets,  turned  in  their  arms,  depositing  them  in  a 
pile  at  the  arsenal  as  they  marched  in,  after  which  the  entire  Regi 
ment  received  the  new  Springfield  rifled  musket,  of  the  pattern  of 
18(51,  a  beautiful  and  effective  piece,  with  which  the  men  were 
highly  pleased. 

While  encamped  at  Washington,  in  addition  to  the  usual  camp 
duties,  the  men  were  occupied  daily  in  company  drill  and  in  the 
manual  of  arms,  etc.,  the  recruits  last  enlisted  being  drilled  in 
squads  by  the  non-commissioned  officers  of  the  companies. 

Col.  Guss,  having  received  orders  from  the  War  Department  to 
proceed  with  his  Regiment  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  issued  orders, 
on  the  evening  of  the  19th,  to  have  two  days'  rations  cooked  and 
to  have  the  men  ready  to  march  at  short  notice.  Accordingly,  on 
the  20th,  after  returning  from  the  march  to  the  arsenal,  the  order 
was  given  to  strike  tents  and  pack  up,  which  the  men  obeyed  with 
a  ready  will.  Teams  were  soon  upon  the  ground  to  convey  the  tents 
and  baggage  to  the  depot,  for  shipment  to  Baltimore,  from  whence 
the  Regiment  was  to  embark.  At  2  P.  M.,  marched  to  the  depot; 
waited  until  4  P.  M.  for  cars;  then  loaded  baggage  and  men  and 
waited  until  8  P.  M.  for  the  arrival  of  other  trains  on  the  road; 
reached  Baltimore  at  11  P.  M.,  remaining  under  the  shelter  of  the 
depot  until  morning.  The  men,  rinding  resting  places  on  the  floor, 
slept  soundly.  Before  marching  from  the  depot,  on  the  morning  of 
November  21,  the  93d  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Col.  James  Mc- 
Carter,  from  Lebanon,  Pa.,  arrived  at  Baltimore  and  halted  by  the 
depot  to  await  transportation.  There  were  many  pleasant  greetings 
between  the  men  who,  though  from  distant  localities,  were  glad  to 
meet  as  Pennsylvanians  and  patriots.  Previous  to  leaving  the  depot 
in  Baltimore,  the  men  were  plentifully  refreshed  by  the  Union  Re 
freshment  Committee.  Then  marched  to  Locust  Point,  on  the 
Patapsco  River,  where  Companies  B,  E,  G,  H,  I  and  K,  with  the 
band,  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  Georgiana.  Considerable 
delay  occurred  in  loading  the  baggage  of  the  Regiment  owing  to  the 
inconvenience  of  the  landing.  At  3  P.  M.,  when  the  companies 


88  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

designated  had  been  taken  on  board,  it  was  found  the  steamer 
could  not  carry  the  entire  Regiment.  The  remaining  companies, 
A,  C,  D  and  F,  were  then  marched  nearly  two  miles  to  Concord 
Street  Wharf,  to  embark  on  the  steamer  Louisiana,  which  was  to 
start  at  7  P.  M.  Those  companies  were  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col. 
A.  P.  Ducr,  Col.  Guss  and  the  other  field  officers  being  on  board 
the  Georgiana. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  November  22,  the  two  steamers  on 

•/       o 

which  the  Regiment  had  embarked  had  arrived  in  the  bay  opposite 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  and  had  anchored  quite  near  together. 


FORTRESS   MONROE   IN    1861. 

At  7  A.  M.,  the  Regiment  landed  upon  the  wharf  at  the  fort, 
boats  not  being  permitted  to  land  troops  or  citizens  between  sun 
down  and  7  A.  M.  Col.  Guss  reported  his  arrival  to  the  com 
mandant,  Maj.  Gen.  John  E.  Wool,  U.  S.  A.,  and  received  orders 
where  to  encamp.  The  Regiment  was  formed  in  line  near  the 
wharf,  then  marched  about  one  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  the 
fort,  over  a  gravel  road,  crossing  a  bridge  that  spans  an  arm  of  the 
bay  or  inlet,  toward  the  village  of  Hampton,  which  the  rebels  had 
burned  a  short  time  previous  upon  the  approach  of  Gen.  Phelps' 


1SC1.] 


CAMP    HAMILTON. 


89 


THE   HORNING   OF    HAMPTON. 


troops.  The  tall  chim 
neys,  left  standing  amid 
the  ruins,  were  in  full 
view  during  the  march, 
presenting  a  vivid  pic 
ture  of  the  desolation 
wrought  by  a  misguided 
people  in  its  rebellion 
against  the  protecting 
power  of  a  beneficent 
government.  For  the 
second  time  in  its  his 
tory,  this  village  had 

fallen  a  prey  to  the  ravages  of  destroying  flames,  now  kindled  by 
the  fugitive  dwellers  within  its  ancient  and  time-honored  walls. 
The  British  troops,  during  the  war  of  1812,  first  consigned  its 
dwellings  to  the  torch,  but,  more  considerate  of  sacred  edifices,  had 
spared  the  ancient  church  of  St.  John,  built  of  bricks  that  had 
crossed  the  ocean  with  the  earliest 
settlers.  Its  later  desolaters,  more 
ruthless,  have  left  no  trace  of  its  an 
cient  and  memorable  mansions,  save 
the  tall  blackened  chimneys  and  the 
bare  and  crumbling  walls  of  the  old 
church,  around  which  the  tombstones 
of  past  generations  grimly  stand  as 
sentinels,  bearing  silent  record  of  an 
cestral  honor  and  earlier  patriotism. 

The  place  selected  for  the  camp  was  about  midway  between  the 
fort  and  Hampton.  Several  regiments  were  already  encamped  near 
by.  The  name  of  Camp  Hamilton  had  been  given  to  the  locality, 
which  was  understood  to  embrace  the  entire  camp.  The  97th  Regi 
ment  encamped  in  a  field  next  to  one  occupied  by  the  llth  Pa. 
Cav.,  commanded  by  Col.  Josiah  Harlan,  of  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  The 
following  Pennsylvania  regiments  were  also  at  Camp  Hamilton  at 
the  same  time,  viz.:  45th,  55th  and  76th  Infantry. 

The  department  was  commanded  by  that  veteran  officer,  Maj. 
Gen.  John  E.  Wool,  U.  S.  A.,  and  the  post  by  Brig.  Gen.  James  K. 
F.  Mansfield.  • 

After  the  camp  lines  were  established  and  the  guards  detailed 


RUINS   OF   ST.  JOHN  8   CHURCH. 


90  HISTORY   OF   THE  NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [November, 

and  posted,  orders  were  issued  to  have  the  ground  cleared  of  weeds, 
etc.  (it  being  an  old  tobacco  field),  and  to  have  wells  dug  in  each 
company  street.  The  water  being  found  about  five  feet  below  the 
surface,  the  wells  were  walled"  by  placing  barrels,  open  at  both  ends, 
in  the  hole,  two  or  more  on  top  of  each  other.  In  this  manner, 
water  was  procured  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  term  of  ser 
vice  in  the  Department  of  the  South.  It  was  generally  good  for  a 
time,  but  became  brackish,  and  often  quite  bad,  after  the  wells  had 
been  long  in  use,  requiring  new  wells  to  be  dug. 

Company  and  battalion  drill  were  now  resumed,  the  former  gene 
rally  in  the  morning  and  the  latter  in  the  afternoon,  and  dress 
parade  half  an  hour  before  sunset. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  battalion  drill,  at  Camp  Hamilton,  Col. 
Guss  complimented  his  officers  and  men  for  their  performance,  and 
said:  "All  that  was  wanted  was  a  little  more  practice  to  make  an 
efficient  and  reliable  regiment."  The  colonel  being  already  greatly 
beloved  by  his  officers  and  men,  in  consequence  of  his  kind  and 
considerate  attention  to  their  comfort  and  welfare  constantly  mani 
fested,  caused  praise  of  him  to  be  heard  from  almost  all  in  the 
Regiment. 

The  line  of  outside  pickets  at  the  post  extended  along  the  stream 
that  separates  Camp  Hamilton  from  the  village  of  Hampton,  and 
from  the  stream  across  to  the  beach,  at  a  distance  of  about  two 
miles  from  the  camp  and  near  the  same  distance  from  the  fort. 

From  the  picket  lines,  drumming  in  the  rebel  camp  was  heard. 
A  few  cavalry  pickets  were  occasionally  seen,  but  did  not  approach 
our  lines.  The  broad  expanse  of  Hampton  Roads,  stretching  away 
to  the  westward  from  our  camp,  presented  an  attractive  interest. 
In  the  distance,  occasionally  the  dark  smoke  of  rebel  steamers  could 
be  seen  moving  behind  Craney  Island  toward  SewelPs  Point,  where 
a  rebel  battery  aided  in  barring  the  way  to  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth. 
Nearer  and  in  plain  view  could  be  seen  the  tall  masts  and  spars  of 
the  national  vessels  at  anchor  in  the  roads.  The  boding  influence 
of  the  corning  storm  seemed  presaged  in  the  dim  and  dusky  autumn 
air  as  a  mirage  of  the  conflict  which  a  few  weeks  later  burst  so 
suddenly  upon  the  startled  beholders  of  the  memorable  attack  of  the 
Merrimac  upon  the  Cumberland  and  other  vessels  of  the  fleet.  De 
fenceless  against  the  impetuous  thrusts  of  her  deep-cutting  prow, 
defeat  and  disaster  seemed  impending  until  the  opportune  arrival 
of  the  first  Monitor  turned  the  tide  of  battle  and  rescued  the 


1861.] 


CAMP    HAMILTON.  91 


national  Hoot  from  the  inevitable  destruction  that  would  otherwise 
have  ensued. 

During  the  night  of  November  29,  signal  lights  and  rockets  were 
seen  in  the  direction  of  Sewell's  Point  and  heavy  firing  was  hoard 
from  near  Norfolk.  Firing  had  also  been  heard  at  intervals  during 
the  previous  afternoon.  It  was  then  supposed  to  be  the  enemy 
practicing.  On  the  31st,  heavy  firing  was  again  heard  from  beyond 
Craney  Island,  the  smoke  from  the  guns  being  distinctly  visible 
from  the  camp.  It  proved  to  be  a  gunboat  shelling  u  rebel  supply 
boat  on  its  way  to  Sewell's  Point. 


BATTLE   OF    THK    MONITOR    AND    MKKKIMAC. 

These  incidents  are  noted  as  showing  the  eager  interest  mani 
fested  by  all  in  whatever  afforded  an  opportunity  of  a  nearer  ex 
perience  with  the  yet  untried  realities  of  the  conflict  of  arms. 

On  December  3,  1861,  a  chill  and  dreary  morning,  about  two 
inches  of  snow  covered  the  ground  and  it  was  very  cold,  but  the 
boys  were  all  cheerful  and  ready  for  duty.  Drill  was  postponed  in 
order  to  avoid  unnecessary  exposure  of  the  men.  In  addition  to 
the  usual  routine,  each  company  had  been  receiving  instruction  in 
the  skirmish  drill,  several  having  already  attained  considerable  pro 
ficiency  in  the  various  deployments. 

While  at  Camp  Hamilton,  several  of  the  officers  and  men  were 
taken  sick  with  violent  cramping  pains  in  the  bowels,  which  the 
surgeons  attributed  to  vegetable  impurities  in  the  water,  these  cases 
yielding  readily  to  proper  medical  treatment. 

On  the  8th  of  December,  1861,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  the 
following  men  of  the  Regiment  were  discharged,  upon  surgeon's 
certificate  of  disability,  and  returned  to  their  homes;  viz.:  Taylor 


92.  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [December, 

W.  Harper,  drummer,  Co.  C;  John  F.  Cloud,  wagoner,  Co.  D; 
Privates  Jacob  B.  James,  Co.  A;  Joseph  D.  McGinnis,  Co.  B; 
Thomas  T.  Esworthy  and  John  Opperman,  Co.  F;  Stephen  John 
son,  Hugh  McKenna  and  William  Wright,  Co.  G;  Charles  Brown 
and  Taylor  Wilson  Mclntyre,  Co.  K.  Most  of  these  men  again 
entered  the  service  in  other  regiments.  One  of  them,  William 
Wright,  returned  to  Co.  G,  97th  Regiment,  early  in  1863.  These 
discharges  were  ordered  in  consequence  of  the  inability  of  the  men 
to  accompany  their  Regiment,  then  under  marching  orders.  Corp. 
Henry  G.  Yocum,  of  Co.  G,  being  also  sick  with  measles,  was  left 
at  the  hospital  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  when  the  Regiment  em 
barked.  He  afterwards  died,  December  21,  1861,  being  the  first 
death  of  a  member  of  the  Regiment.  He  was  buried,  with  military 
honors,  at  Wrest  Chester,  Pa.,  where  his  mother  resided. 


FLAN  OF  BATTLE  AT  PORT  ROYAL  HARBOR. 


1801.]  PORT    ROYAL.  93 


CHAPTER  III. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  SOUTH,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.;  WARSAW  SOUND, 
GA.;  FORT  CLINCH,  FERNANDINA  AND  JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.;  EDISTO 
AND  JOHN'S  ISLAND,  S.  C.,  DECEMBER,  1861,  TO  JANUARY,  1862. 

^At>,  OMMODORE    DUPONT'S   brilliant  success,  at    Port 
j-l.      1   Royal.  S.  C..  on  November  7,  1861,  and  the  subsequent 
occupation  of  Hilton  Head  and  Beaufort,  S.  C.,   by  the 
United  States  forces,  had  opened  the  way  for  more  ex 
tensive    operations   in    the    Department  of    the  South. 
j*    To  this  most  interesting  point  the  97th  Regiment  was 


now  ordered.  Col.  Guss  issued  orders,  early  on  the 
morning  of  December  8,  1861,  to  strike  tents  and  make 
ready  to  pack  up.  By  noon,  the  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  had  been  transferred  to  the  wharf,  and  a  detail  engaged  in 
loading  the  baggage  on  board  the  transport.  At  2  P.  M.,  the  Regi 
ment  marched  to  the  landing.  One  company  at  a  time  was  then 
taken  upon  a  small  steamer  and  transferred  to  the  United  States 
steam  transport  Ericsson,  at  anchor  in  the  bay.  It  was  a  tedious 
process  getting  from  the  small  vessel  to  the  steamer,  owing  to  the 
decks  being  of  different  height,  the  guard  rails  obstructing  the  pass 
age  of  the  men,  encumbered  with  knapsacks,  arms,  accoutrements, 
etc.  Col.  Guss  superintended  in  person  the  embarkation  and  the 
assignment  of  quarters  to  the  companies,  seeing  that  all  were  com 
fortably  arranged,  each  company  having  its  separate  place  where 
the  men  could  dispose  of  their  arms,  baggage,  etc.,  and  have  a 
guard  to  keep  watch  of  it  in  turn. 

The  steamer  lay  at  anchor  in  the  bay  until  the  morning  of  the 
9th,  weighed  anchor  at  11  A.  M.,  and  was  soon  under  way.  Pass 
ing  near  the  steam  frigates  Minnesota  and  Roanoke,  the  marines 
ran  up  the  rigging  and  gave  three  hearty  cheers  which  our  men 
returned  with  a  will. 

Guard  mounting  was  performed  as  prescribed  for  troops  on  ship- 


94  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [December, 

board,  the  daily  routine  of  duties  and  attention  to  the  sanitary  con 
dition  of  the  men  being  strictly  observed  during  the  voyage. 

After  a  very  pleasant  voyage  of  three  days,  the  sea  being  perfectly 
calm,  reached  the  entrance  to  Port  Royal  Harbor,  on  the  evening 
of  December  11,  too  late  for  a  pilot  to  come  out.  The  steamer  lay 
to,  awaiting  morning  to  enter,  but,  at  10  P.  M.,  a  storm  coming 
on,  the  captain  headed  the  steamer  seaward,  and  ran  out  to  avoid 
the  dangers  of  the  coast.  For  three  days  it  continued  with  in 
creasing  violence.  The  men  suffered  greatly  from  sea-sickness  and 
confinement  below. 

The  billows  tossed  the  ship  like  a  shell  upon  their  crests,  while 
the  wind  whistled  shrill  and  moaningly  through  the  cordage,  as  the 
tempest  spent  its  force  over  the  wide  expanse  of  waters,  but  the 
timbers  of  the  staunch  steamer  held  together  well,  being  strongly 
built.  It  was  a  grand  sight  to  witness,  standing  upon  the  deck  at 
night,  looking  out  upon  the  seething  cauldron  over  which  the  dark 
ness  of  the  night  rested,  while  beneath  its  pall  the  foaming  billows 
were  lit  up  with  the  sparkling  brilliancy  of  those  mysterious  lights 
that  seemed  to  dance  upon  the  waters  in  very  sportiveness,  mar 
vellous  in  their  beauty  and  source,  intangible  as  the  visions  of  fairy 
land. 

By  the  morning  of  December  14,  the  storm  had  so  far  abated  as 
to  permit  the  steamer  to  venture  into  port.  About  10  A.  M.,  a 
pilot  was  signalled,  who  came  out.  He  brought  the  steamer  to  the 
outer  bar,  at  the  entrance  to  Port  Royal  Harbor,  where  it  was  ne 
cessary  to  anchor  and  await  high  tide  to  enable  the  vessel  to  enter 
in  safety.  At  4  P.  M.,  weighed  anchor,  and 
was  soon  safe  in  the  bay  of  Port  Royal,  S.  C. 


FOKT   WALKER.  FORT    BEATJREGARD. 

Across  the  bay,  Dupont's  fleet  was  at  anchor.  His  flagship  Wa- 
bash  and  the  Susquehanna,  conspicuous,  received  the  admiration  of 
all  eyes.  Fort  Walker,  Hilton  Head  and  Fort  Beauregard,  opposite 


HILTON    HEAD.  95 

on  Bay  Point,  wore  also  objects  of  interest,  for  here    the  enemy 
made  a  most  desperate  resistance,  which  gave  the  greater  eclat  to 
the  success  of  the  national   fleet. 
The  men  eagerly  noted  the  effect 

i  i 

oi  the  bombardment  as  they  passed 

•         1 

in  to  anchor  for  the  night.     Three 

of  the  dismantled  hulks,  brought 

down  to  obstruct  Charleston  har- 

bor,  by  sinking  them  loaded  with 

granite,  were    here,  awaiting    the 

remainder  of  the  stone  fleet.     On 

December    20,    sixteen    of    them 

were    sunk    in    the    channels    of 

Charleston  harbor,  under  the  di- 

rection  of  Fleet  Captain  Charles  STONE  FLEET  BLOCKADE. 

H.  Davis. 

The  men  hailed  the  prospect  of  landing  with  delight,  being  worn 
out  with  sea-sickness  and  close  confinement  on  shipboard.  On 
December  15,  disembarked  in  lighters  which  came  alongside  the 
steamer,  each  taking  one  company  at  a  time.  A  detail  was  left  to 
unload  and  bring  ashore  the  baggage. 

The  Regiment  formed  in  line  on  the  beach  near  Fort  Walker,  on 
Hilton  Head,  then  marched  about  half  a  mile  to  the  rear  of  the 
fort  to  encamp  in  a  cotton  field.  The  ground,  uneven  from  the 
ridges  of  last  year's  tillage,  was  covered  with  tall  weeds,  coarse 
grass,  prickly  pear  and  a  sharp  sand-burr,  quite  annoying  to  come 
in  contact  with.  Tents  were  pitched  temporarily,  in  the  entangle 
ment  of  weeds  and  nightfall,  cheerily  by  the  men  liberated  from  the 
greater  discomfort  of  the  crowded  transport.  The  76th  P.  V.  was 
encamped  in  an  adjoining  field.  At  the  instance  of  its  adjutant, 
William  Darlington,  a  son  of  Dr.  William  Darlington,  of  West 
Chester,  the  companies  of  that  regiment  made  hot  coffee  and 
brought  to  the  Regiment  to  partake  of  while  waiting  for  their  tents 
to  arrive.  The  officers  also  invited  the  officers  of  the  97th  to  take 
supper  with  them.  The  kindness  was  fully  appreciated,  and  in  that 
evening's  hospitality  originated  the  fraternal  feeling  that  in  the 
future  so  strongly  united  these  regiments  in  their  after  experiences 
in  the  service. 

For  two  days  the  men  were  employed  in  clearing  and  leveling  the 
ground  for  the  camp  and  a  portion  of  the  field  adjoining  for  drill 


96  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [December, 

ground,  details  from  each  company  being  made  for  the  purpose. 
Wells  were  also  dug.  The  camp  soon  presented  a  contrast  to  the 
wilderness  of  weeds  into  which  the  Regiment  had  marched.  During 
the  work,  many  large  shot,  fragments  of  shell  and  some  unexplodcd 
shell,  thrown  by  the  gunboats  during  the  bombardment,  were  found 
by  the  men.  They  were  objects  of  much  interest  and  curiosity. 
Some  accidents  occurred  from  the  careless  handling  of  the  latter, 
attempting  to  unload  them  or  placing  those  supposed  to  be  empty 
upon  the  fires.  The  guns  and  accoutrements  now  received  the 
much  needed  attention,  necessarily  relaxed  during  the  sea  voyage, 
owing  to  the  sickness  of  the  men  and  the  crowded  condition  of  the 
vessel. 

After  these  preparations,  the  regular  routine  of  drill  and  disci 
pline  was  resumed  and  the  bayonet  exercise  introduced.  Dress 
parade  in  the  evening  and  guard  mounting  at  post  head-quarters, 
in  due  form  every  morning,  each  regiment  furnishing  a  portion  of 
the  post  guard  in  turn.  Details  of  a  company  daily  were  also 
made  for  work  upon  the  intrenchments,  in  course  of  erection,  as  an 
inland  protection  to  the  large  amount  of  stores  being  concentrated 
at  Hilton  Head,  the  depot  of  supplies  for  the  department. 

Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  W.  Sherman  was  in  command  of  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  South,  with  head-quarters  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  when 
the  Ilegiment  landed,  to  whom  Col.  Guss  reported  for  duty.  The 
land  force  consisted  of  three  brigades,  commanded,  respectively,  by 

Brig.  Gens.  Egbert  S.  Yiele, 
Isaac  I.  Stevens  and  Ho 
ratio  G.  Wright.  To  the 
brigade  of  the  latter  the 


97th     Ilegiment     was     as- 
^-  signed    by    Gen.    Sherman. 
The  principal  offices  of  the 

POPE  3   HOUSE    AT    HILTON    HEAD. 

department  were  located  in 

the  large  mansion  of  Mr.  Pope,  conspicuous  in  appearance  in  con 
trast  with  the  long  lines  of  sheds  and  smaller  houses  erected  for 
quarters  and  government  stores.  A  shot  from  one  of  the  guns  of 
the  bombarding  fleet  had  penetrated  and  passed  through  it  from 
side  to  side.  It  was  otherwise  uninjured. 

While  on  board  the  steamer,  several  of  the  men  had  been  taken 
sick  with  the  measles,  and  after  landing  many  were  affected  with 
that  disease,  which  prevailed  for  several  weeks;  but,  with  careful 


1801.] 


ADVANCE   AT    PORT    ROYAL    PERKY. 


97 


treatment  and  a  propitious  climate,  the  cases  all  recovered,  leaving 
none  of  the  complications  that  often  follow  the  disease  in  adults. 

On  December  23,  the  first  inspection  since  landing  at  Hilton 
Head.  The  arms  presented  the  effects  of  rust  caused  by  the  salt 
water  and  sea  air  of  the  voyage.  Most  of  the  men  were  known  to 
have  done  all  in  their  power  to  keep  their  pieces  bright  and  clean, 
while  on  shipboard,  the  rust  being  inevitable  from  the  influence  of 
the  salt  atmosphere. 

About  December  28,  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  of  Company  H,  received 
a  furlough  for  thirty  days  and  returned  home.  1st  Lieut.  Evans,  of 
Company  A,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Company  H  until  the 
return  of  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  which  was  on  January  27,  1862,  when 
Lieut.  Evans  returned  to  duty  in  Company  A. 


On 

December 
31,    1861,   a 
combined     land 
and  naval  force  be 
gan  a  movement  against 
the  enemy  at  Port  Royal 
Ferry,  near   Beaufort,   S.   C. 
0     Three  regiments  were  sent  from 
Hilton    Head.     The    97th    Regi- 
had    received    orders    to    be 
ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice. 
The  attack  began   early  on  the  morning 
of  January  1,  1862.     Heavy  firing  was  heard, 
during  the  day,  in  the  direction  of  Beaufort,  but 
no  order  to  march  came.     At  12  M.,  the  lone;  roll 

o 

was  beat  in  all  the   camps   at  Hilton   Head.     The 
97th  was  formed  on  the  color  line  and  awaited  orders. 
Then   arms  were   stacked   and    the  men   dismissed  with 
orders  to  keep  on  their  accoutrements  until  the  tap  of  the  drum. 
The  advance  being  successful  support  was  unnecessary.     Marching 
orders  were  countermanded  and  the  excitement  subsided. 
7 


98  HISTORY   OF    THE  NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

On  January  2,  1862,  Capt.  Price,  of  Company  C,  was  detailed, 
with  other  officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment,  upon  recruiting  service. 
An  account  of  that  service  is  given  in  another  chapter.  During 
the  absence  of  Capt.  Price,  the  command  of  Company  C  devolved 
upon  1st  Lieut.  Emmor  G.  Griffith  until  April,  1862. 

On  January  7,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Private  Henry  Stephens,  of 
Company  F,  died,  of  congestive  fever,  and  was  buried  on  the  follow 
ing  day  at  the  cemetery  outside  the  intrenchments.  This  was  the 
first  funeral  in  the  Regiment. 

Eleven  enlisted  men  were  discharged,  for  physical  disability,  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  in  January,  1862. 

On  January  21,  1862,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out,  at  Hilton 
Head,  to  operate  against  Fort  Pulaski  and  some  points  on  the 
Florida  coast.  A  brigade,  consisting  of  the  6th  Connecticut,  4th 
New  Hampshire,  9th  Maine,  and  the  97th  Pennsylvania,  under 
command  of  Gen.  H.  G.  Wright,  constituted  the  land  force  which 
was  designed  to  pass  by  way  of  Warsaw  Sound,  Wilmington  River 
and  St.  Augustine  jCreek,  and  enter  the  Savannah  River  in  rear  of 
Fort  Pulaski. 

The  97th  P.  V.  left  its  camp  at  3  P.  M.,  on  the  21st,  and  em 
barked  on  the  splendid  steamer  Boston,  commanded  by  Capt.  J.  P. 
Johnson,  of  Boston,  Mass.  He  proved  to  be  a  prince  of  steamboat 
captains  and  a  staunch  friend,  whose  kindness  the  Regiment  was 
fortunate  in  having  many  opportunities  of  enjoying.  At  the  camp 
upon  Hilton  Head,  forty-six  convalescent  and  sick  men  were  left, 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  R.  H.  Smith,  1st  sergeant  of  Company  G.  2d 
Lieut.  James  Hughes,  of  Company  B,  then  physically  disabled  from 
accompanying  the  expedition,  was  left  in  command.  The  weather 
becoming  quite  stormy,  delayed  the  movement  until  January  26, 
when  the  fleet  proceeded  to  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga.,  thirteen  miles 
below  Savannah,  and  came  to  anchor  at  4  P.  M.  on  that  day.  At 
8  A.  M.,  on  the  27th,  six  gunboats  of  the  fleet  advanced  up  the 
Wilmington  River  to  reconnoitre.  Firing  was  heard  frequently 
during  the  day,  the  smoke  being  plainly  visible  from  the  transports. 
On  the  28th,  at  noon,  heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Savannah  River.  Five  rebel  steamers  appeared  at  2.30  P.  M.,  de 
scending  Wilmington  River.  Our  gunboats  having  returned  opened 
a  brisk  fire  upon  them,  stopping  their  progress  at  a  bend  of  the 
river,  frustrating  their  purpose  of  reconnoitering  the  operations  of 
the  expedition. 


1862.] 


01'EKATIONS   AGAINST    FORT    PULASKI. 


99 


These  were  regarded  as  an  effort  to  approach  the  city  of  Sa 
vannah  by  landing  a  force  to  march  inland.  A  lodgment  had 
been  made  on  Jones  and  Bird  Islands,  and  batteries  completed  by 
February  11,  which  effectually  closed  Savannah  River  in  the  rear  of 
Fort  Pulaski.  Meanwhile,  other  and  more  important  progress  was 
being  made  upon  the  low  marshy  borders  of  Tybee  Island,  within 
a  few  hundred  yards  of  Fort  Pulaski,  where,  in  the  silence  of  the 
night,  under  cover  of  the  dense  growth  of  chaparral,  a  road  was 
built  over  the  swamp,  regarded  wholly  inaccessible,  but  which 
Gilmore's  men  disproved  by  piling  brush  and  pine  poles  together, 
upon  which  sand,  carried  in  boxes  from  the  shore,  was  deposited, 
finishing  with  a  plank  roadway,  extending  from  the  beach  to  the; 
batteries,  over  which  the  heavy  siege  guns  and  mortars,  some  weigh 
ing  upwards  of  eight  tons,  were  dragged  on  sling  carts  by  the  men, 
two  hundred  being  required  for  each  heavy  piece. 

An  old  martello  tower  stands  on 
almost  the  only  solid  point  of  the  island, 
at  the  entrance  to  the  river.  It  was  an 
object  of  great  interest  and  curiosity. 
Its  builders  would  be,  no  doubt,  more 
perplexed  at  the  result  of  modern  engi 


neering,  which   has  built  such  formid- 


MAKTEI/LO    TOWER,   TYHEE   ISLAND. 


able  batteries  upon  the  swamps  that  lie 
between  it  and  Fort  Pulaski,  than  our 
men  seemed  to  be  with  its  quaint  design 
and  strong  concrete  walls.  Before  these 
preparations  for  the  reduction  of  Fort 
Pulaski  were  completed,  the  co-opera 
tive  force,  commanded  by  Gen.  Wright, 
having  accomplished  its  object,  was  ordered  to  advance  upon  points 
still  further  south.  Gen.  Gilmore,  having  placed  his  siege  batteries 
in  order,  was  ready  to  open  fire  on  April  9.  On  the  morning  of 
the  10th,  Gen.  Hunter  sent  Lieut.  J.  H.  Wilson,  of  the  Topo 
graphical  Engineers,  who  had  made  the  principal  explorations  lead 
ing  to  these  operations,  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  garrison 
by  its  commander,  Col.  Charles  H.  Olmstead,  of  the  1st  Georgia 
Regiment.  This  being  refused,  in  the  declaration,  "I  am  here  to 
defend  the  fort,  not  to  surrender  it,"  at  8.15  A.  M.,  the  batteries 
opened  upon  it  and  continued  firing  all  day;  five  of  the  enemy's 
guns  being  silenced  and  the  responses  of  the  others  becoming 


100 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 


BKEACII   IN    FORT    PULASKI. 


less  frequfent.  Two 
of  Gilmore's  guns 
fired  at  intervals 
of  eighteen  minutes 
through  the  night. 
At  sunrise,  the  next 
morning,  the  batte 
ries  opened  afresh 
with  the  greatest 
vigor.  A  yawning 
breach  soon  became 
visible  at  a  point 
where  the  fire  of 
Sigel,  Scott  and  Mc- 
Clellan  concentrated. 
Yet  the  fort  con 
tinued  the  fight  bravely  until  2  P.  M.,  when  preparations  were  made 
to  storm  the  work.  A  white  flag  was  then  displayed  from  the  walls, 
causing  the  fire  to  cease.  Ten  guns  were  found  dismounted.  It 
was  a  hard  fought  but  almost  bloodless  contest,  only  one  killed  on 
each  side,  the  enemy  having  several  wounded. 

The  fort,  forty-seven  heavy  guns,  a  large  supply  of  fixed  ammuni 
tion,  forty  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  a  large  quantity  of  com 
missary  stores  and  three  hundred  prisoners  were  the  fruits  of  this 
success. 

The  97th  Regiment,  though  not  actually  present  at  the  bombard 
ment  of  Pulaski,  may  properly  be  regarded  as  assisting  in  its  reduc 
tion  through  the  advance  by  Warsaw  Sound,  entailing  its  measure 
of  suffering,  sacrificing  the  lives  of  several  of  its  bravest  and  best 
men,  from  the  fevers  contracted  in  the  closely-crowded  transports. 

Of  those  left  sick  in  the  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  Private  Hunter 
Maxton,  of  Company  F,  died,  January  25,  of  congestive  fever,  and 
Sergt.  Gerritt  S.  Hambleton,  of  Company  C,  died,  January  31,  1862, 
of  typhoid  fever.  His  death  was  universally  lamented  by  the  offi 
cers  and  men  of  his  company,  and  by  most  in  the  Regiment,  being 
a  young  man  of  great  worth  and  amiability,  with  bright  talents  and 
promise,  whose  excellent  and  efficient  qualities  had  already  indi 
cated  his  selection  for  promotion  to  the  first  vacancy  for  a  commis 
sion  in  his  company.  Through  the  exertions  of  his  friend,  faithful 
companion  and  nurse,  Corp.  B.  Lundy  Kent,  of  the  same  company, 


FORT   PULASKI    AND    WARSAW    SOUND.  101 

his  body  was  sent  home  for  interment,  at  Longwood  Cemetery, 
where,  on  the  morning  of  February  16,  1862,  his  family  and  friends 
gathered  and  sadly  laid  his  remains  in  that  quiet  resting  place. 
Many  touching  tributes  were  paid  to  his  worth,  and  all  felt  that 
his  work,  though  scarcely  begun,  was  yet  complete  in  its  earnest 
devotion  to  the  aim  of  a  most  noble  purpose.  This  tribute  to  his 
excellence  of  character  and  promise  is  taken  from  a  letter,  written 
by  Adjt.  II.  W.  Carruthers,  to  a  friend  in  West  Chester,  dated 
Warsaw  Sound,  Ga.,  February  3,  1S62:  "*  *  *  We  left  a 
number  of  sick  men  in  camp  (at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.)  when  we 
started,  and  last  night's  intelligence  informed  us  that  two  are  dead. 
One,  G.  S.  Hambleton,  a  sergeant  of  Capt.  Price's  company,  one  of 
the  very  finest  young  men  in  the  Regiment.  Physical  strength, 
beauty,  kindness  of  heart  and  intellectual  attainments  of  a  high 
order,  were  his.  He  was  so  strong  and  robust  that  I  thought 
disease  would  reach  him  the  last  of  all.  He  died  of  typhoid  fever. 
*  •  *  H.  W.  C " 

On  February  1,  on  board  steamer  Boston,  in  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga., 
Private  Joseph  11.  McKinley,  of  Company  C.  died,  of  ship  fever, 
after  an  illness  of  only  a  few  hours.  He  was  buried,  on  Warsaw 
Island,  the  same  evening.  Lieut.  Gardiner,  of  Company  C,  with  a 
detail  for  the  purpose,  went  ashore  to  make  the  interment.  While 
thus  engaged,  the  out-going  tide  left  their  boat  aground,  in  a  creek 
too  shoal  to  get  out  until  the  next  tide,  Lieut.  Gardiner  and  party, 
being  obliged  to  remain  ashore  until  morning  without  sufficient 
shelter,  suffered  greatly  from  the  exposure. 

On  February  3,  Companies  B,  C  and  F,  under  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Duer,  with  Dr.  Miller  in  charge  of  the  sick,  were  transferred 
from  steamer  Boston  to  the  Marion,  in  order  to  relieve  the  crowded 
condition  of  the  men.  On  February  9,  all  the  troops  were  landed 
on  Warsaw  Island  to  give  the  men  an  airing  and  exercise.  On  the 
same  day,  details  were  sent  from  all  the  companies  to  Hilton  Head 
for  a  portion  of  the  tents  and  clothing,  which  arrived  on  the  l'2th, 
with  most  of  the  convalescents,  who  had  been  left  behind.  On 
February  16,  the  Regiment  landed  and  occupied  tents  near  the 
beach  on  Warsaw  Island.  Remained  on  the  island  until  February 
26.  The  men  were  drilled  in  company  and  battalion  drill,  having 
dress  parade  every  day. 

On  February  19,  2d  Lieut.  William  Gardiner,  of  Company  C, 
died,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  hours,  of  congestive  fever.  It  was  im- 


102  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

possible  to  send  his  remains  home,  so  he  was  buried  beside  Private 
McKinley,  on  Warsaw  Sound,  near  the  broad  Atlantic,  beneath  a 
beautiful  grove  of  live  oak  and  palmetto.  Sadly  his  comrades 
lowered  him  into  the  grave  and  closed  the  earth  above  him,  marking 
with  his  name,  age  and  rank  the  place  where  he  lies. 

The  following  notice  of  the  death  of  Lieut.  Gardiner  appeared  in 
a  West  Chester  paper,  when  the  intelligence  reached  his  home : 

"Died,  on  board  U.  S.  transport  Boston,  in  Warsaw  Sound,  on 
the  coast  of  Georgia,  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  February, 
1862,  after  a  short  illness,  Lieut.  William  Gardiner,  of  Company  C, 
in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  Thus  we  record  the  fall  of 
another  of  the  brave  and  patriotic  young  men  of  Company  C,  who, 
but  a  few  months  ago,  went  forth  from  their  homes  and  friends  in 
defence  of  their  country.  Truly  in  these  instances  is  verified: 
'  Death  loves  a  shining  mark.' 

"Gentle  and  unobtrusive  in  manner,  even  to  extreme  modesty, 
the  worth  of  Lieut.  Gardiner  was  only  known  by  those  intimately 
associated  with  him.  Attentive  and  efficient  in  duty,  and  closely 
studious,  he  had  acquired  a  proficiency  seldom  equalled  in  all  that 
pertains  to  the  service.  Unsolicited,  and  without  any  other  influ 
ence,  his  own  merit  had  secured  his  selection  for  a  position  which, 
in  filling,  he  honored,  winning  his  way  still  deeper  in  the  esteem  and 
affection  of  his  companions  in  arms,  who  sincerely  mourn  his  loss. 

"  But  who  shall  measure  the  depths  of  sorrow  this  sad  event  has 
brought  to  his  widowed  mother,  or  realize  the  grief  of  his  young 
sister  (now  her  only  companion),  while  still  other  sons  and  brothers 
are  far  away  in  the  tented  fields  beyond  the  Potomac." 

On  February  26,  orders  were  received  to  strike  tents.  At  2  P.  M., 
Companies  A,  D,  E,  G,  H,  I  and  K,  with  the  band,  re-embarked 
on  the  steamer  Boston,  and  Companies  B,  C  and  F  on  board  steamer 
Marion.  Every  preparation  was  made  for  a  move  of  the  expedition, 
but  the  vessels  remained  at  anchor.  Heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the 
direction  of  Savannah.  The  rebel  Fort  McAllister  being  in  sight 
of  the  fleet,  the  gunboats  moved  up  the  river  and  opened  fire  upon 
it  with  shell.  The  enemy  could  be  seen,  by  the  aid  of  a  field  glass, 
working  their  guns.  The  firing  toward  Savannah  was  again  heard 
on  the  27th.  The  gunboats  continued  to  operate  upon  the  works 
on  Savannah  and  Wilmington  Rivers.  Formidable  obstructions, 
however,  prevented  a  nearer  approach  to  the  city  of  Savannah. 

Com.  Dupont,  in  his  flagship  Wabash,  arrived,  from  Hilton  Head, 


862]  CAPTURE   OF   FORT   CLINCH   AND   FERNANDINA 

on  February  28,  1862,  and  transferred  his  flag  to  the  smaller  war 
vessel,  the  Mohican.     The  fleet,  consisting  of  twenty  armed  vessels 


OH8TRUCTJON8  IN   SAVANNAH   RIVEU. 


and  eleven  transports,  put  to  sea  at  4  P.  M.,  the  object  being  the 
occupation  of  portions  of  the  coast  of  Georgia  and  Florida. 

On  March  1,  Corp.  Joseph  M.  Lewis,  of  Company  C,  died  of 
ship  fever,  of  which  he  had  been  ill  since  February  25.  He  was 
buried  at  sea. 

On  Sunday,  March  2,  sighted  land,  and  at  8  A.  M.  passed  near 
the  lighthouse  on  the  north  end  of  Cumberland  Island,  Ga.,  and  en 
tered  St.  Andrew's  Sound.  The  gunboats  in  advance  sent  a  party 
ashore  to  hoist  the  stars  and  stripes  upon  Cumberland  Island  Light 
house.  At  12  M.,  the  fleet  anchored  until  the  morning  of  the  13d, 
when  the  light  draft  gunboats  and  transports  passed  along  St.  An 
drew's  Sound  towards  St.  Mary's  River.  The  larger  vessels  passed 
down  the  coast  to  enter  the  St.  Mary's  River  at  Fort  Clinch.  These 
came  to  anchor,  outside  the  bar,  at  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River, 
at  4.30  P.  M. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  the  fleet  again  got  under 
weigh,  passed  the  bar,  entered  the  river  within  range  of  the  enemy's 
guns,  at  Fort  Clinch,  but  encountered  no  opposition,  the  enemy 
having  evacuated  the  fort  during  the  previous  night  without  having 
fired  a  shot  to  dispute  the  entrance  of  the  fleet.  Most  of  the 
vessels  passed  up  the  river  and  came  to  anchor  opposite  the  old 
town  of  Fernandina.  The  inhabitants  had  abandoned  both  that  and 
the  larger  town  of  New  Fernandina,  a  mile  farther  up  the  river. 
The  exodus  had  been  made  in  great  haste,  leaving  tents  and  bag 
gage  behind,  the  houses  and  stores  being  filled  with  furniture, 
goods,  etc.  A  few  had  managed  to  secure  some  of  their  effects  by* 
carrying  them  away  during  the  night  upon  the  railroad.  A  loaded 
train,  just  moving  off,  was  stopped  by  a  well-directed  shot  from  the 
gunboats,  which  killed  two  men.  A  small  rebel  coasting  steamer, 


104  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [March, 

the  Darlington,  was  also  captured,  after  a  chase  up  the  river  by  two 
armed  boats,  under  Com.  Rogers,  of  the  navy.  She  was  loaded 
with  women  and  children,  mules,  forage  and  other  stores.  The 
town  of  St.  Mary's,  Ga.,  on  the  St.  Mary's  River,  opposite  to  and 
distant  ten  miles  from  Fernandina,  was  also  captured  by  Com. 
Rogers,  on  the  Ottawa,  on  the  afternoon  of  March  5. 

Fernandina  was  occupied  by  Gen.  Wright's  forces,  the  97th  P. 
V.,  being  the  first  regiment  to  land  and  establish  the  picket  force, 
having  been  on  shipboard  forty-four  days,  less  ten  days  on  Warsaw 
Island.  The  picket  force  of  the  97th,  in  exploring  beyond  the  line 
established,  came  upon  a  masked  battery  that  had  covered  the  re 
treat  of  the  rebels  toward  Harrison's  Landing.  Two  guns  were 
captured  and  brought  in.  The  4th  New  Hampshire  was  detailed 
as  patrol  guard  to  prevent  pillage.  The  9th  Maine  occupied  a 
position  adjoining  the  camp  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  on  the  inland  side 
of  the  city. 

Many  negroes  had  remained  and  a  few  of  the  white  residents, 
principally  of  northern  origin.  Such  of  the  houses  as  had  been 
abandoned  were  occupied,  by  order  of  the  commanding  general,  as 
head-quarters  of  the  command  and  its  departments,  and  for  quarters 
of  officers  attached  to  the  expedition.  Gen.  Wright  occupied  the 
house  of  late  United  States  Senator  Yulee,  near  the  centre  of  the 
town.  Maj.  Z.  K.  Pangborn,  paymaster  U.  S.  Vols.,  occupied  Gov. 


FORT   CLINCH. 


Broome's  house.  Fort  Clinch,  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Mary's  River,  was  garrisoned  by  Company  E,  1st  N.  Y.  Vol.  En 
gineers,  with  Capt.  Alfred  F.  Sears  as  constructing  engineer,  under 
whose  superintendence  the  work  of  completing  and  strengthening 
the  fort  was  at  once  commenced. 

While  at  Fernandina,  the  usual  camp  duties  were  performed  by 
the  Regiment,  and  a  detail  for  outside  picket  furnished,  in  turn, 


1862.]  CAPTURE   OF  JACKSONVILLE,  MAYPORT   AND   ST.  AUGUSTINE.       105 

with  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade.     Company  and  regimental 
drill  and  dress  parade,  as  usual. 

A  fleet  of  six  gunboats,  with  the  4th  New  Hampshire,  under 
command  of  Col.  Whipple,  left  Fernandina,  on  the  8th,  and,  on 
March  12,  captured  the  towns  of  Jacksonville  and  Mayport,  on  the 
St.  John's  River,  and  St.  Augustine,  on  the  coast,  all  in  Florida. 
The  rebels  hastily  evacuated  those  places  on  the  approach  of  the 
gunboats,  setting  fire  to  the  mills  and  lumber  at  the  former  places, 
by  which  a  large  amount  of  very  valuable  material  was  destroyed. 
A  few  negroes  and  citizens  remained,  but  the  larger  number  either 
fled  voluntarily  or  were  forced  to  leave  by  the  enemy. 

On  March  9,  Company  A,  with  a  detachment  of  cavalry,  made 
a  scout  to  Harrison's  Landing,  about  ten  miles  distant,  near  the 
centre  of  the  island,  but  found  no  sign  of  the  enemy. 

On  March  12,  1862,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj  Z.  K.  Pang- 
born,  paymaster  U.  S.  Vols.,  to  include  December  31,  1861,  being 
the  first  payment  received.  It  was  made  at  Gov.  Broome's  house, 
one  company  marching  up  at  a  time. 

On  March  12,  Brunswick  and  Darien,  two  hamlets  on  St.  Simon's 
Sound,  Ga.,  were  captured  by  a  portion  of  the  fleet  despatched  from 
Fernandina,  on  the  8th. 

On  March  24,  the  97th  was  sent  to  reinforce  the  troops  at  Jack 
sonville,  embarking,  at  10  A.  M.,  upon  the  steamer  Cosmopolitan, 
leaving  the  9th  Maine  to  garrison  Fernandina,  where  it  remained 
for  nearly  a  year.  A  few  sick  men  of  the  97th  were  left  in  the 
hospital  in  charge  of  the  surgeon  of  the  9th  Maine.  One  of  these, 
Corp.  John  L.  Morton,  of  Company  I,  died,  of  typhoid  fever,  on 
March  28,  and  Harry  Hunter,  musician,  of  Company  I,  died,  in  the 
general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  April 
1,  1862. 

The  Cosmopolitan,  with  Gen.  H.  G.  Wright  and  staff  and  the 
97th  Regiment,  on  board,  arrived  at  Jacksonville  at  5  P.  M.  on  the 
24th.  Slight  opposition  was  encountered  from  rebel  sharp-shooters, 
posted  on  the  bluffs  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  but  a  few  shell  from 
the  gunboats  soon  drove  them  off.  Upon  landing,  the  troops  were 
quartered  in  storehouses  and  other  large  buildings  that  were  found 
unoccupied,  the  97th  being  at  the  corner  of  Bayard  and  Orange 
Streets,  in  a  large  warehouse. 

The  citizens  reported  a  heavy  force  of  rebels  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  city  and  seemed  apprehensive  of  their  return.  A  strong  picket 


106  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [March, 

force  was  advanced  about  half  a  mile  beyond  the  town,  and  a  line 
of  earthworks  established,  upon  which  the  troops  were  engaged  for 
several  days  in  completing  and  strengthening  to  guard  against  as 
sault  from  a  superior  force. 

At  midnight  on  the  24th,  the  picket  guard  was  fired  upon.  One 
man  of  the  4th  New  Hampshire  was  killed  and  one  wounded,  by 
a  party  of  rebels  attacking  one  of  the  outposts,  also  capturing  five 
men  of  the  4th  New  Hampshire.  The  advance  of  the  enemy  was 
checked  by  the  return  fire,  their  loss  being  one  killed  and  two 
taken  prisoners.  On  the  25th,  escaping  contrabands  coming  in 
reported  the  rebel  forces  within  two  miles  of  the  picket  lines. 
Several  rebel  deserters  came  in  during  the  night  of  the  25th.  On 
the  28th,  pickets  of  the  97th  fired  upon  rebel  cavalry  scouts.  On 
same  day,  details  of  axemen  went  out  to  cut  down  the  timber  to 
prevent  rebels  approaching  the  position  under  cover,  an  armed 
force  being  sent  in  advance  to  protect  the  choppers  from  the  rebel 
sharp-shooters.  On  the  29th,  the  rebels  advanced  in  force  to  re 
connoitre.  The  advance  guard  and  the  wood-choppers  came  in  from 
the  front.  Gen.  Wright's  forces  were  held  in  readiness  for  the 
attack,  but  the  rebels  did  not  seem  ready  to  come  within  reach  of 
the  gunboats.  Afterward,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  a  rebel  colonel 
several  times  came  into  the  lines,  and  was  sent  to  head-quarters, 
where  he  remained  several  hours  and  then  passed  out  again,  being 
escorted  in  and  out  by  a  guard.  The  first  time  was  on  March  30; 
again  on  April  1  and  2.  It  was  reported  that  his  object  in  coming 
was  to  have  the  women  and  children  sent  out  of  town  previous  to 
an  attack  upon  the  place.  Great  indignation  was  felt  and  mani 
fested,  by  many  of  the  officers  and  men,  that  a  rebel  officer  should 
be  permitted  to  pass  and  repass  through  the  Union  lines  and  forces 
to  head-quarters,  repeatedly,  giving  ample  opportunity  lor  acquiring 
information  as  to  the  strength  and  position.  Frequent  allusions  to 
the  army  regulations  in  respect  to  flags  of  truce,  and  the  pro 
ceedings  proper  to  be  observed  in  regard  to  them,  were  heard  pass 
ing  between  the  men,  who  knew  what  those  requirements  and  pro 
priety  should  dictate.  A  due  regard  for  their  own  observance  of 
these  regulations  prevented  a  summary  stop  being  put  to  the  irregu 
larity;  otherwise,  the  pickets  were  ready  to  keep  the  rebel  colonel 
on  his  own  side  of  the  line. 

On  March  30,  Companies  A  and  C  of  the  97th,  under  command 
of  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss,  with  an  aid  of  Gen.  Wright,  went  out  to  re- 


1862-1  EVACUATION    OF    JACKSONVILLE.  107 

connoitro  the  position  of  the  enemy.  They  advanced  three  miles 
beyond  the  picket  lines,  but  met  only  small  parties  of  rebel  scouts, 
who  kept  at  a  safe  distance.  They  returned  to  their  quarters  at 
sunset. 

At  Jacksonville,  on  April  3,  1862,  Private  Joseph  Yocum,  of 
Company  A,  died,  of  congestive  fever,  and  was  buried  on  the  4th  in 
a  church  burial  ground  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 

Ou  Sunday,  April  6*.  the  Cosmopolitan  arrived  at  Jacksonville, 
from  Hilton  Head,  bringing  the  convalescent  members  of  the  Regi 
ment  left  at  that  place  in  January;  also  regimental  baggage,  horses 
ambulances,  etc.  About  twenty  recruits  for  the  llegiment  arrived 
and  were  assigned  to  Companies  I  and  K. 

By  the  arrival  of  the  steamer  Cosmopolitan,  information  that  Gen. 
T.  W.  Sherman  had  been  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  South,  March  31,  by  Maj.  Gen.  David  Hunter,  was 
received,  with  orders  to  Gen.  Wright  to  evacuate  Jacksonville. 
Accordingly,  during  the  night  of  April  7,  the  troops  not  on  duty, 
and  many  of  the  citizens,  were  embarked  on  board  the  transports 
Cosmopolitan  and  Belvidere  and  the  schooner  Magnum  Bonum, 
belonging  to  Mr.  John  Forrest,  sutler  of  the  97th.  These  vessels 
were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity.  During  the  preparations 
for  evacuating,  Private  Miles,  of  Company  E,  one  of  the  hospital 
attendants,  having  had  unusual  facilities  for  testing  the  quality  of 
the  hospital  stores,  while  packing  up,  became  extremely  hilarious, 
and  meeting  Gen.  Wright  upon  the  street  accosted  him,  and  with 
great  familiarity  expressed  his  opinion  in  regard  to  the  movement, 
saying,  "  General,  I  thought  you'd  have  to  vaceate,"  which  freedom 
the  general  promptly  rewarded  by  an  order  for  an  escort  for  Private 
Miles  to  safe  quarters  under  guard.  Miles  subsided  under  protest, 
giving  vent  to  still  further  opinions  in  regard  to  military  affairs  in 
general  and  this  one  in  particular.  "  General,  1  thought  you'd  have 
to  vaceate,"  remained  a  familiar  expression  in  camp  for  a  long  time. 

At  1  P.  M.,  on  the  8th,  the  outer  line  of  pickets  was  withdrawn, 
at  dusk  the  inner  lines  were  brought  in  and  all  embarked  on  board 
the  transports,  which  remained  at  anchor  until  next  morning,  the 
9th.  The  wharf  was  then  crowded  with  citizens;  among  them  ap 
peared  some  rebel  soldiers,  conspicuous  with  whom  was  observed 
the  colonel  of  flag-of-truce  notoriety.  There  was  no  demonstration 
of  attack;  but,  as  the  vessels  moved  off  in  the  morning,  many 
exasperating  expressions  were  heard.  The  men  were  almost  ready 


108  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

to  discharge  a  parting  salute  of  ball  cartridge  at  the  colonel  and 
some  of  the  demonstrative  rebels  on  shore,  but  no  such  indiscretion 
occurred. 

In  passing  down  the  river,  the  gunboats  threw  a  few  shell  into 
the  woods  at  the  bluffs,  where  the  rebels  had  fired  upon  the  vessels 
in  coming  up,  to  prevent  danger  from  the  repetition,  the  transports 
being  now  so  crowded  as  to  present  sure  marks  for  rebel  rifles. 

At  2  P.  M.,  came  to  anchor  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's  River, 
the  weather  being  too  rough  to  cross  the  bar  with  vessels  so 
crowded.  On  the  10th,  it  being  more  favorable,  the  transports 
started,  arriving  safely  at  Fernandina  at  sunset.  The  Regiment 
landed  and  encamped  near  Gov.  Broome's  house.  On  April  11, 
Lieut.  Evans,  of  Company  A,  was  temporarily  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  Company  C,  on  account  of  the  illness  of  Lieut.  Griffith 
and  the  absence  of  Capt.  Price  on  recruiting  service. 

On  April  13,  1862,  Gen.  Wright's  forces  returned  to  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  leaving  five  companies  of  the  4th  New  Hampshire  and 
the  9th  Maine  to  occupy  Fort  Clinch  and  Fernandina,  the  remain 
ing  companies  of  the  4th  New  Hampshire  being  at  St.  Augustine, 
Fla.  The  97th  embarked  in  the  steamer  Cosmopolitan,  arrived  at 
Hilton  Head,  at  sunset  on  the  13th,  anchored  for  the  night  in  the 
harbor,  landed  on  the  14th  and  encamped  near  the  wrest  sally  port 
of  the  intrenchments.  The  men  were  allowed  a  day  to  clean  and 
fix  up  arms,  accoutrements,  clothing,  etc.  The  regular  duties  and 
drills  were  then  resumed,  the  usual  detail  for  post,  picket,  guard 
and  fatigue  duty  being  made  daily. 

Peter  O'Neil,  a  private  of  Company  E,  died  in  the  hospital,  at 
Hilton  Head,  of  typhoid  fever,  April  11.  He  was  buried  in  the 
national  cemetery,  outside  the  intrenchments. 

On  April  17,  a  guard  of  fifty  men,  of  Company  C,  was  detailed 
to  conduct  the  rebel  prisoners,  taken  at  Fort  Pulaski,  from  the 
provost  guard  quarters  to  the  New  York  steamer. 

On  the  18th,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj.  Julian  O.  Mason, 
at  Hilton  Head,  to  include  February  28,  1862. 

At  this  time,  2d  Lieut.  A.  N.  Morton,  of  Company  I,  who  had 
resigned  on  account  of  physical  disability,  left  for  home.  Four 
men  of  the  Regiment  were  also  discharged  on  the  same  account. 

The  additional  recruits  received  for  Companies  I  and  K  had  not 
yet  advanced  the  aggregate  sufficiently  to  allow  of  the  muster  of 
Capts.  Hawkins  and  Wayne,  nor  had  Col.  Guss  yet4  obtained  his 


1863  3  OCCUPATION   OF   JAMES   ISLAND.  109 

muster.  This  fact  being  brought  to  the  notice  of  Gen.  Hunter, 
he  directed  the  immediate  muster  of  those  officers  by  the  following 
letter  to  Gen.  H.  G.  Wright,  commanding  division: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  IST  DISTRICT,  DEPT.  SOUTH, 

HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.,  April  19,  1862. 

GENERAL:  The  commanding  general,  being  informed  that  Col. 
Guss,  with  his  non-commissioned  regimental  staff,  two  principal 
musicians  and  company  officers  of  two  companies  of  the  97th  P.  V., 
with  Capt.  G.  W.  Hawkins,  of  Company  I  (if  not  included  above), 
have  not  been  mustered  into  service.  By  direction  of  Gen.  Hunter, 
he  wishes  you  to  muster  those  parties  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  from  the  date  the  Regiment  was  ordered  into  the  field  or 
from  the  date  of  their  joining  the  same  if  subsequent  thereto. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  BENHAM,  Brig.  Gen. 
[Signed]  A.  B.  ELY,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Gol.  Guss  was  accordingly  mustered,  by  Gen.  Wright,  to  rank 
from  July  25,  1861;  Capt.  Hawkins,  from  October  29,  1861;  Capt. 
Wayne,  from  November  16,  1861,  and  the  non-commissioned  regi 
mental  staff  to  rank  from  October  29,  1861. 

Preparatory  to  the  first  advance  against  Charleston,  S.  C.,  Gen. 
Wright  was  ordered,  by  Gen.  Hunter,  to  occupy  North  Edisto 
Island,  S.  C. 

The  97th  Regiment  struck  tents  on  April  19,  marched  to  the 
wharf  and  embarked  on  the  steamer  Delaware.  Several  sick  men 
were  sent  to  the  general  hospital  at  Hilton  Head.  Left  the  harbor 
at  1  P.  M.  and  came  to  anchor  in  Edisto  River  at  7  P.  M.  Landed 
on  North  Edisto  Island,  at  noon  on  the  20th,  encamping  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  landing.  The  55th  P.  V.  occupied  the 
field  adjoining,  having  previously  arrived.  Each  company  of  that 
regiment  served  the  corresponding  company  of  the  97th  with  coffee, 
a  favor  mutually  reciprocated  whenever  an  opportunity  presented. 
After  getting  the  camp  established,  and  the  tents  well  shaded  by 
green  boughs  and  palmetto  leaves  laid  upon  supporting  poles,  the 
troops  were  again  regularly  and  efficiently  drilled  in  company  and 
battalion  movements.  Gen.  H.  G.  Wright,  inspected,  reviewed  and 
mustered  for  pay  the  regiments  of  his  command  on  April  30,  1862. 
Gen.  H.  W.  Benham,  commanding  the  northern  district  of  the  de 
partment,  also  reviewed  the  97th  Regiment  on  May  5. 


110  HISTORY   OP    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [May, 

At  North  Edisto,  on  May  2,  1862,  the-  following -officers  having 
resigned  and  being  honorably  discharged,  for  disability,  left  the 
Regiment  and  returned  to  their  homes,  viz.:  Capt.  Jesse  L.  Cum 
mins,  Company  G;  1st  Lieuts.  Emmor  G.  Griffith,  Company  C; 
John  H.  Babb,  Company  E,  and  Thomas  S.  Taylor,  Company  H. 
George  W.  Myers,  a  member  of  the  band,  and  Privates  Albert  P. 
Painter  and  Edward  H.  Taylor,  of  Company  H,  being  discharged, 
on  account  of  physical  disability,  returned  at  the  same  time.  Myers 
died  soon  after  reaching  home.  Corp.  B.  L.  Kent,  of  Company  C, 
was  detailed  to  accompany  Lieut.  Griffith  to  his  home,  he  being  so 
much  prostrated  as  to  require  constant  attention.  On  May  26,  2d 
Lieut.  James  Hughes,  of  Company  B,  resigned  and  returned  home 
on  account  of  ill  health.  Twelve  enlisted  men  of  the  Regiment, 
having  been  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  re 
turned  at  the  same  time.  During  the  month  of  May,  Companies  B, 
G,  H,  I  and  K  each  lost  a  man  by  death,  from  typhoid  fever,  at  the 
United  States  general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head.  Two  men  also 
died,  of  typhoid  fever,  at  North  Edisto:  Jacob  Lawrence,  of  Com 
pany  A,  on  the  16th,  and  Elias  H.  Smith,  of  Company  F,  on  the 
30th.  Both  were  buried  in  the  ground  attached  to  an  Episcopal 
church  about  four  miles  distant  from  the  camp. 

On  May  29,  Companies  A,  B  and  C  were  detailed  as  cover  to 
the  engineers  while  erecting  a  wharf,  on  John's  Island,  opposite  to 
Edisto,  for  the  landing  of  troops,  artillery,  etc.,  preparatory  to  the 
advance.  The  men  were  in  light  marching  order,  with  two  days' 
cooked  rations  in  haversacks.  They  inarched  about  three  miles 
from  the  landing  and  established  a  picket  line.  Gen.  Wright  ac 
companied  the  advance.  Cavalry  scouts  of  the  enemy  were  seen 
observing  the  movements,  but  they  did  not  advance  very  closely  to 
the  lines. 

On  May  30,  Companies  A,  B  and  C,  on  duty  on  John's  Island, 
were  relieved  by  Companies  F,  G  and  I  of  the  97th,  the  former 
returning  to  camp  on  Edisto.  The  latter  companies  remained  on 
duty  until  the  31st,  being  then  relieved  by  three  companies  of  the 
6th  Connecticut. 

On  May  31,  the  76th  P.  V.  arrived  at  North  Edisto  and  was  at 
tached  to  Gen.  Wright's  Brigade. 


1862.] 


JAMES    ISLAND. 


Ill 


CHAPTER  IV. 

GENERAL  HUNTER'S  ADVANCE  TOWARD  CHARLESTON;  CAMPAIGN 
UPON  JAMES  ISLAND;  ACTION  AT  GRIMBALL'S  PLANTATION  AND 
SECESSION VILLE,  S.  C.;  JUNE,  1862. 


ftd 


REPARATIONS  having  been  completed  for  the  ad 
vance  toward  Charleston,  on  June  2,  Gen.  Hunter 
ordered  the  troops  upon  North  Edisto  to  cross  the 
river  preliminary  to  the  march  across  John's  Island. 
Gen.  Wright  was  now  placed  in  command  of  the 
entire  force.  The  brigade  packed  up  all  extra  bag 
gage  and  clothing,  and  left  most  of  the  tents,  etc., 
with  a  small  detail  of  men,  chiefly  convalescents,  at 
the  camp  of  the  97th,  under  command  of  Capt.  Mc- 
Connell,  of  Company  E.  One  of  the  sick  left  at  Edisto,  Private 
Samuel  Drake,  of  Company  D,  died  of  climatic  fever,  June  8,  and 
was  buried  at  Fort  Edisto,  by  the  55th  P.  V.  which  remained  there 
on  garrison  duty.  The  troops  crossed  the  Edisto,  on  that  day,  on 
lighters  and  small  transports  and  then  marched  three  miles  to  Live 
Oak  Point,  where  they 
encamped  for  the  night. 
The  97th  P.  V.,  then 
numbering  eight  hun 
dred  and  forty  men  fit 
for  duty,  crossed  the 
river  in  the  rebel  steam 
boat  Planter,  which  had 
been  run  out  of  Charles 
ton  Harbor,  a  few  days 
previously,  by  her  pilot, 
Robert  Small,  a  colored 

man,  with  a  colored  crew  of  eight  men.     He  had  contrived  to  get 
his   family  on  board   the  evening    previous   and    then   started   his 


THE    PLANTER. 


112  HISTORY    OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  CJune' 

steamer  on  a  desperate  attempt  to  pass  under  the  guns  ol  Fort 
Sumter,  which  he  accomplished  in  safety,  by  giving  the  usual 
signals,  which  deceived  the  enemy.  He  was  now  its  commander, 
and  his  boat  engaged  in  transport  duty. 

The  march  to  Live  Oak  Point  was  during  the  heat  of  a  day  un 
usually  sultry.  Many  of  the  men  threw  away  clothing,  blankets, 
etc.,  and  several  were  quite  overcome  by  the  heat.  A  man  of  the 
76th  P.  V.  was  reported  to  have  fallen  dead  by  the  way.  Com 
panies  B  and  C  of  the  97th  were  detailed  for  picket  and  went  on 
duty  at  sunset. 

During  the  morning  of  the  3d,  before  being  relieved  from  picket, 
Company  B,  was  fired  upon  several  times  by  rebel  cavalry  scouting 
parties.  Gen.  Wright  had  sent  out  some  cavalry,  the  evening 
before,  to  reconnoitre,  but  the  rebel  scouts  kept  well  out  of  the 
way  until  after  the  return  of  the  cavalry  to  camp.  The  forces  not 
having  all  crossed  the  river  on  the  2d,  the  march  was  not  resumed 
on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  and  was  still  further  delayed  by  heavy 
rain.  While  visiting  the  pickets,  on  the  3d,  Lieut.  Col.  Duer,  get 
ting  rather  beyond  the  line,  had  a  narrow  chance  of  capture  by  a 
party  of  about  forty  rebel  cavalry  scouts  passing  along  a  road  cross 
ing  the  one  taken  by  Lieut.  Col.  Duer,  arriving  at  the  junction 
a  few  minutes  after  he  passed  on  his  way  back  to  the  lines.  This 
cavalry  force  was  constantly  engaged  in  watching  the  movement, 
during  the  march,  keeping  just  beyond  rifle  range. 

On  the  4th,  the  troops  were  arranged  in  the  order  in  which  they 
were  to  march  in  column  and  every  preparation  made  for  the  ad 
vance.  But  the  continued  rain  prevented  marching,  and  also  made 
it  very  uncomfortable  for  the  men,  who  had  no  other  shelter  than 
gum  blankets. 

By  daylight  on  the  5th,  the  march  commenced,  though  the  rain 
was  unabated.  It  continued  through  most  of  the  day.  The  roads 
were  very  muddy  and  cut  up  by  the  artillery  and  cavalry.  Marched 
fourteen  miles  to  Legareeville.  on  the  Stono  River,  which  was 
reached  at  3  P.  M.,  just  as  the  rain  ceased.  The  troops  occupied 
the  deserted  houses  of  that  place,  where  the  men  were  soon  engaged 
in  preparing  coffee,  drying  their  saturated  clothing  and  making 
themselves  comfortable  as  possible  after  their  tiresome,  disagreeable 
march. 

At  Legareeville,  on  the  evening  of  June  5,  1862,  Capt.  Price,  of 
Company  C,  Lieut.  S.  Morton,  of  Company  I,  and  their  men,  re- 


18(52  ]  RECONNOISSANCE   ON    JOHN'S    ISLAND.  113 

joined  the  Regiment  from  recruiting  service,  (.apt.  Price  resumed 
the  command  of  his  company.  Lieut.  Evans,  temporarily  in  com 
mand  of  Company  C,  returned  to  duty  in  Company  A. 

On  June  6,  continued  rain  prevented  further  movements.  On 
the  7th,  the  97th  Regiment,  with  two  companies  of  the  1st  Massa 
chusetts  Cavalry,  under  the  command  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  made  a 
reconnoissance  toward  the  main  land,  on  the  left  of  the  advance,  to 
ascertain  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction. 
After  marching  about  seven  miles,  the  rebel  pickets  were  encoun 
tered  and,  after  a  brisk  skirmish,  driven  from  their  position,  leaving 
two  prisoners,  with  their  horses,  arms,  accoutrements,  etc.,  in  our  pos 
session.  The  men  had  marched  rapidly  and  eagerly,  keeping  well 
up  with  the  cavalry.  When  the  enemy  was  encountered,  Com 
panies  A  and  B  were  advanced  as  skirmishers,  Company  A  on  the 
right,  under  command  of  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss,  and  Company  B  on  the 
left,  under  command  of  Capt.  W.  B.  McCoy.  These  companies 
made  a  rapid  rout  of  the  enemy's  pickets,  capturing  the  two 
prisoners  who  failed  to  evade  the  line  of  skirmishers  thrown  across 
the  road  by  which  they  sought  to  escape.  Our  loss  was  as  follows : 
Private  Robert  L.  Black,  Company  A,  wounded  through  the  right 
arm,  and  Corp.  William  Deisem,  of  Company  B,  in  the  left  knee. 

One  of  the  cavalry  horses,  shot  in  the  foot,  had  to  be  killed.  The 
97th  advanced  half  a  mile  further,  the  skirmishers  being  kept  out 
on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road.  Upon  arriving  near  to  a  bridge, 
over  a  stream  separating  from  the  main  land  or  another  island,  a 
masked  battery  was  discovered,  on  the  other  side,  which  commanded 
the  bridge  and  causeway  leading  to  it.  To  ascertain  the  position 
and  availability  of  this  crossing  was  part  of  the  object  of  the  re 
connoissance.  This  was  accomplished,  as  far  as  possible,  without 
assaulting  the  position,  which,  without  artillery  and  direct  orders, 
could  not  be  attempted.  As  night  was  at  hand,  Col.  Guss  set  out 
to  return  to  Legareeville  with  his  command  and  prisoners.  It  soon 
became  very  dark.  A  heavy  storm,  with  violent  thunder,  lightning 
and  rain,  rendered  the  march  both  difficult  and  dangerous.  Reached 
quarters  at  9.30  P.  M.  Col.  Guss  reported  to  Gen.  Wright  the 
result  of  his  reconnoissance  and  received  the  thanks  of  that  officer 
for  the  promptness  and  success  of  his  operations. 

The  gunboats  had  moved  up  the  Stono  River  to  Wappoo  Creek 
and  shelled  the  enemy  from  their  position  on  James  Island,  about 
May  20,  being  unsupported  by  the  land  force,  delayed  by  lack  of 
8 


114  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

transportation,  necessitating  the  march  across  John's  Island,  which 
was  still  further  delayed  by  continued  heavy  rains.  The  landing 
of  Gen  Stevens'  division,  on  James  Island,  on  June  8,  was  fol 
lowed  by  Gen.  Wright's  command,  on  the  9th;  the  6th  Connec 
ticut  and  97th  P.  V.  being  on  the  same  transport,  crossing  from 
Legareeville  to  the  landing.  A  large  balloon  had  been  observed 
for  some  hours,  in  process  of  being  filled,  near  what  was  afterwards 
known  as  Stevens'  Landing.  It  was  intended  for  use  in  observing 
the  position  and  movements  of  the  enemy,  but  it  was  not  made 
available  to  any  very  useful  extent  in  the  department. 

Gen.  Wright  occupied  a  position  at  GrimbalPs  Plantation,  his 
head-quarters  being  in  the  Grimball  mansion,  his  command  en 
camped  in  close  proximity  thereto,  the  97th  P.  V.  occupying  the 
river  bank  on  the  right  of  the  landing.  The  tents  and  baggage  of 
the  Regiment,  left  at  Edisto,  had  been  ordered  forward,  but  did  not 
arrive  until  a  few  days  later.  When  Gen.  Wright's  command 
moved  over  from  John's  to  James  Island,  Companies  G  and  H  of 
the  97th,  one  company  of  the  1st  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  under 
command  of  the  lamented  Capt.  Manlius  Sargent,  and  one  section  of 
Capt.  Hamilton's  Battery,  with  two  guns,  were  left  at  Legareeville, 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  of  the  97th  P.  V. 

The  position  was  one  of  considerable  importance,  it  being  neces 
sary  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  gaining  access  to  the  river  side,  in 
rear  of  the  transports  and  supplies,  the  buildings  of  the  town 
affording  opportunity  of  concealment  and  shelter  to  a  hostile  force. 

Two  gunboats,  the  Helen,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Harris,  and  the 
Norwich,  commanded  by  Capt.  Jesse  Duncan,  were  assigned  to  cover 
the  land  force  at  Legareeville. 

A  constant  and  careful  watch  was  kept,  by  Lieut.  Col.  Duer's 
command,  upon  the  movements  of  the  rebels  on  John's  Island,  and 
several  reconnoissances  were  made  to  ascertain  the  position  and 
strength  of  the  enemy,  whose  cavalry  scouts  were  to  be  seen  con 
stantly  on  the  alert,  watching  every  movement. 

Shortly  previous  to  the  evacuation  of  James  Island,  this  command 
was  ordered  to  join  the  main  force  upon  that  island.  A  small  steam 
transport  was  sent  to  embark  the  troops.  In  the  evening,  the  guns 
and  baggage  were  placed  on  board,  and  the  force  moved  to  the  ex 
treme  point  of  the  peninsula,  to  be  ready  for  embarkation  at  the 
early  morning  tide,  the  picket  line  outside  the  town  remaining 
in  position.  The  watchfulness  of  the  enemy  had  detected  this 


OCCUPATION   OF   JAMES   ISLAND.  115 

movement,  and,  about  midnight,  an  attaek  was  skillfully  made  by 
them,  silently  marching  on  the  Stono  River  beach,  which  was 
deemed  impassable,  owing  to  its  swampy  condition.  A  charge  was 
made  in  the  rear  of  the  picket  line  upon  the  town,  and  was  a  per 
fect  surprise  to  the  picket  force,  which  retreated  to  the  cover  of 
the  houses.  The  command  lying  near  the  boat  was  rapidly  and 
quietly  roused  from  their  sleep  and  put  under  arms  in  a  manner 
that  reflected  great  credit  upon  their  drill  and  commanding  officers. 
A  portion  of  the  force  remained  in  charge  of  the  boat,  which  was 
aground,  while  the  main  force  made  an  advance  in  skirmish  parties 
upon  the  rebels  in  the  town,  from  which,  after  considerable  firing, 
they  were  driven.  Several  small  arms  were  captured,  but  the 
wounded  were  removed  by  the  retreating  foe  under  cover  of  the 
night.  In  the  morning,  the  command  embarked  and  joined  the 
main  force  on  James  Island. 

The  forces  of  Maj.  Gen.  Isaac  Ingalls  Stevens  having  landed  on 
James  Island,  about  two  miles  nearer  the  mouth  of  Stono  River 
than  Gen.  Wright's  position,  Gen.  Stevens  had  advanced  his  lines 
with  his  right  flank  resting  upon  the  inlet  which  separates  James 
from  Cole  Island,  extending  his  left  towards  Gen.  Wright's  position, 
joining  the  right  of  the  latter  near  the  edge  of  a  swamp  that  par 
tially  separated  the  two  positions. 

Gen.  Wright's  line  extended  on  the  left  to  a  point  on  the  Stono 
River,  about  a  mile  above  the  landing,  a  bend  in  the  river  affording 
ample  protection  to  his  left  flank  and  rear,  the  picket  line  being 
on  an  average  near  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  river.  The  enemy 
was  found  to  be  strongly  intrenched  near  Secessionville,  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  in  front  of  our  right  and  centre,  and  had  obstructed, 
at  all  advantageous  points,  the  approaches  toward  the  city  of 
Charleston,  in  front  of  our  left.  The  enemy's  guns,  at  Tower  Bat 
tery,  near  Secessionville,  covered  our  entire  position,  several  shot 
having  been  thrown  over  the  camp  into  the  river  during  the  landing 
of  the  troops,  and  occasionally  over  the  tents  during  the  occupancy 
of  the  island,  but  the  gunboats  soon  got  the  range  of  the  battery 
and  kept  their  guns  quiet.  A  strong  line  of  earthworks  was  imme 
diately  thrown  up  just  outside  the  camp  lines  of  each  division. 
Preparations  were  also  made  for  mounting  Parrott  guns  of  sufficient 
power  to  reach  the  enemy's  batteries.  The  fleet,  meanwhile,  kept 
the  enemy  from  interfering  materially  with  these  operations. 

The  97th  was  detailed  for  picket  on  the  evening  of  June  9,  after 


116  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [Juue, 

landing  on  James  Island,  went  to  the  front  at  sunset  and  occupied 
the  right  of  the  line  adjoining  Gen.  Stevens'  left.  The  line  being 
established  considerably  in  advance  of  the  position  held  by  the  force 
that  was  being  relieved,  upon  ground  where  rebel  cavalry  scouts 
had  been  observed,  the  afternoon  previous,  watching  the  landing  of 
the  troops  from  the  shelter  afforded  by  woods  and  the  dense  growth 
of  hedges  skirting  the  fields. 

The  rebel  batteries  shelled  the  lines  during  the  night,  but  there 
was  no  advance  made  upon  the  position  nor  were  any  of  the  men 
wounded  by  the  shell.  A  casualty,  however,  occurred  in  Company 
A,  1st  Sergt.  Thomas  E.  Weber  being  wounded,  in  both  thighs, 
by  a  shot  from  one  of  the  men  of  Company  D,  who  had  been  placed, 
under  a  misapprehension  of  the  line,  in  an  unauthorized  position, 
in  the  rear  of  Company  A. 

On  the  morning  of  June  10,  the  rebels  threw  a  few  shell  from 
Tower  Battery  into  Gen.  Stevens'  lines,  and,  at  about  2  P.  M.,  com 
menced  shelling  the  line  of  pickets  in  front  of  Gen.  Wright,  the 
position  occupied  by  the  97th  P.  V.  The  men  remained  steady  at 
their  posts,  under  a  terrific  storm  of  shell  from  the  rebel  works,  one 
shell  exploding  in  the  camp  of  the  Regiment,  but  only  a  few  men 
being  in  camp  no  one  was  injured.  Indications  of  a  contemplated 
attack  by  the  rebels  were  observed,-  by  the  pickets  of  the  97th, 
during  the  morning.  About  noon,  rebel  skirmishers,  seen  cautiously 
crawling  under  cover  of  the  high  grass  and  chaparral  toward  the 
lines,  were  fired  upon  and  driven  back.  About  4  P.  M.,  the 
pickets  of  the  47th  New  York,  posted  next  on  the  left  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  were  suddenly  surprised  by  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
through  the  woods.  An  advanced  outpost  of  fifteen  men  of  that 
regiment,  stationed  at  the  edge  of  the  wood,  gave  the  signal  of  the 
approach  by  firing  a  volley  and  continued  firing  as  they  fell  back 
upon  a  portion  of  the  reserve,  stationed  at  another  angle  of  the 
wood,  on  a  line  with  the  main  portion  of  the  picket  line.  This 
force  consisted  of  Company  D,  47th  New  York,  with  portions  of 
Companies  I  and  H,  of  the  45th  P.  V.  and  Companies  B  and  F,  of 
the  97th  P.  V. 

The  rebels  advanced  confidently  through  the  woods,  evidently 
with  intention  of  capturing  that  portion  of  the  line,  with  its  re 
serve.  But  the  men  emptied  their  cartridge  boxes  on  the  ground 
before  them  and,  lying  down,  opened  a  continuous  fire  upon  the  ad 
vancing  foe,  maintained  their  position,  the  rebels  coming  to  within 


ACTION  AT  GRIMBALL'S  PLANTATION,  JAMES  ISLAND.         117 

ten  yards  of  them.  This  determined  resistance  caused  the  enemy 
to  fall  back  with  heavy  loss,  removing  many  of  their  wounded. 
In  the  meantime,  the  main  body  of  the  picket  reserve  force,  stationed 
about  two  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  centre  of  the  line  under 
command  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  who  was  also  in  command  of  the 
entire  picket  force,  was,  by  that  officer,  promptly  moved  up  to  the 
support  of  the  troops  already  engaged.  The  left  of  Company  C,  on 
the  picket  line,  occupied  a  position  which,  after  the  47th  New 
^  ork  had  been  driven  in  by  the  rebels,  was  exposed  to  the  rebel 
fire  in  the  rear,  and  liability  to  capture,  at  any  moment  of  advan 
tage  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Capt.  Price  withdrew  the  portion 
of  his  company  thus  exposed,  leaving  the  remainder  to  occupy 
the  position  not  endangered,  from  which  the  other  portion  of  the 
line  could  be  observed  and  guarded.  With  the  men  thus  with 
drawn,  Capt.  Price  joined  Col.  Guss  as  he  advanced  into  action. 

The  firing  having  ceased  for  about  twenty  minutes,  after  the  first 
repulse  of  the  enemy,  was  suddenly  resumed.  Two  rebel  regiments, 
which  proved  to  be  the  47th  Georgia  and  a  Louisiana  regiment, 
under  command  of  Col.  Williams,  of  the  47th  Georgia,  having  ad 
vanced  cautiously  through  the  wood,  renewed  the  attack  with  great 
vigor.  Col.  Guss  had  advanced  his  reserve  during  the  first  attack, 
under  a  heavy  fire,  his  left  had  joined  the  line  of  forces  already  en 
gaged,  then  swinging  his  right  around,  by  a  change  of  front,  for 
ward,  the  left  standing  fast,  he  formed  an  angle  enclosing  the 
corner  of  the  wood  in  which  the  enemy  was  sheltered.  He  delibe 
rately  arranged  his  forces  for  battle,  riding  up  and  down  the  line  in 
front  of  his  men,  urging  them  to  observe  steadiness  and  coolness, 
upon  which  their  success  depended.  His  example  was  electric  in 
its  effect,  and  when  the  command  to  fire  was  given,  the  flashing 
guns  seemed  like  the  voice  of  a  torrent  irresistible  in  force,  for  the 
men  were  rendered  cool  and  brave  by  the  coolness  arid  bravery  of 
their  commander  himself,  in  the  thickest  of  the  danger. 

The  fire  being  inward  from  two  lines  of  an  angle,  made  a  raking 
cross  fire  upon  the  position  of  the  enemy,  rendering  the  trees  no 
protection.  The  engagement  occupied  nearly  two  hours,  hotly  con 
tested  on  both  sides.  Xo  battle  field  during  the  war  has  been  the 
scene  of  more  tenacious,  determined  and  gallant  fighting  than  en 
sued  on  the  part  of  our  men.  From  the  peculiarity  of  the  country, 
abounding  in  thick  underbrush,  the  enemy  were  enabled  to  keep 
well  under  cover,  while  our  men  were  obliged  to  hunt  them  from 


118  HISTORT    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

their  hiding  places  or  wait  for  uncertain  glimpses  through  the 
dense  undergrowth  in  the  wood,  themselves  exposed  to  an  almost 
unobstructed  fire.  Notwithstanding  these  disadvantages,  the  men 
fought  like  veterans,  standing  up  before  the  enemy's  galling 
musketry  without  wavering. 

A  portion  of  Company  E,  3d  U.  S.  Artillery,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Hamilton,  of  that  company,  with  a  section  of  artillery,  had, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  taken  position  at  an  elevated 
point,  where  it  made  some  splendid  shots,  rendering  effective 
service.  The  gunboats  also  sent  some  heavy  shot  and  shell  crashing 
through  the  wood,  cutting  off  trees  and  limbs,  which  served  to 
render  the  position  of  the  rebels  still  more  precarious.  After  un 
successfully  charging  upon  several  points  of  the  line,  the  enemy 
gave  up  the  attempt  to  drive  us  from  our  position.  The  rebel 
commander  withdrew  his  forces  with  precipitation,  leaving  seventeen 
dead  upon  the  field.  Eight  wounded  were  also  brought  off  the  field 
and  tenderly  cared  for  by  the  surgeons  and  their  attendants.  The 
wounded  prisoners  reported  that  many  of  their  killed  and  wounded 
had  been  carried  off  the  field  during  the  action.  Two  of  their 
number  afterward  died.  One  was  a  captain  of  the  47th  Georgia 
regiment,  a  brother  of  the  colonel  commanding.  He  was  struck  by 
seven  shot,  and  died  the  day  after  the  action.  The  rebel  dead  were 
buried  where  they  fell  by  the  men.  Our  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
during  the  action,  was  as  follows:  killed,  Private  Henry  Dunn, 
Company  B,  shot  in  left  breast;  Corp.  Edward  Corcoran,  Company 
E,  shot  in  forehead;  Private  George  E.  Wright,  Company  F,  shot 
in  neck;  wounded:  Corp.  David  H.  Birney,  Company  B,  in  both 
legs;  Privates  George  W.  Wonderly,  Company  B,  right  breast  and 
left  arm  amputated ;  Samuel  J.  Day,  Company  B,  forehead  and  left 
wrist;  Benjamin  English,  Company  B,  right  hip;  Henry  W.  Martin, 
Company  B,  forehead;  George  McNelley,  Company  B,  left  side; 
Daniel  Sullivan,  Company  E,  head;  Hugh  Hale,  Company  F,  dislo 
cated  ankle;  Lewis  Miller,  Company  K,  left  knee;  Henry  B. 
Thomas,  Company  K,  left  arm  and  left  side;  Isaac  Harper,  Com 
pany  K,  left  thigh ;  William  C.  Lewis,  Company  K,  right  foot. 

The  47th  Georgia  was  the  same  that  met  the  8th  Michigan  at 
Wilmington  Island,  on  April  19,  1862,  and  which  proved  itself  at 
that  time  to  be  an  organization  equal  to  any  in  the  rebel  service. 

During  the  action,  Gen.  Wright's  entire  force  was  drawn  up,  in 
line  of  battle,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  rear  of  the  position  occupied 


ACTION  AT  GRIMBALL'S  PLANTATION,  JAMES  ISLAND.         119 

by  the  artillery,  a  commanding  point  for  a  general  engagement,  it 
being  supposed  that  the  foree  engaged  would  be  compelled  to  fall 
back  to  a  more  secure  position.  After  the  action,  the  line  of 
pickets  was  re-established.  It  being  nearly  dark  when  the  enemy 
retired,  it  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  follow  their  retreat  into 
forests  and  swamps  that  furnished  such  ample  opportunities  for 
ambuscade. 

The  follow  ing  extracts  from  the  published  accounts,  furnished  by 
the  Chester  County  Times,  may  be  of  interest  to  preserve  as  part  of 
the  record: 

"The  Ninety-seventh  heard  from!  Gallant  repulse  of  the  enemy! 
Charleston.  S.  C.,  is  the  cradle  of  the  rebellion,  and  as  such  the  sol 
dier  who  has  taken  part  in  its  approach,  siege,  capture  or  reduction 
is  entitled  to  our  highest  gratitude  and  praise.  Within  a  few  miles 
of  that  city,  having  marched  overland  from  Edisto,  through  an  un 
known  hostile  country,  constructing  bridges,  removing  obstructions 
and  fording  creeks,  is  Gen.  Wright's  brigade,  of  which  Col.  Guss' 
Regiment  constitutes  a  part.  Scarcely  a  letter  did  we  receive  from 
our  Chester  County  boys  in  which  they  did  not  express  a  hope  of 
distinguishing  themselves  for  true  valor  and  grit.  The  chance  has 
been  vouchsafed  them,  attended  by  an  overwhelming  victory.  We 
are  at  this  writing  enabled  to  produce  the  following  extracts  from 
newspaper  correspondence : 

"After  describing  the  action,  as  already  detailed,  the  New  York 
Herald  correspondent  says:  '  *  *  *  I  think  no  battle  field  of 
this  war  has  been  the  scene  of  more  tenacious,  determined  and  gal 
lant  fighting  than  ensued  on  the  part  of  our  men.  From  the  pecu 
liarity  of  the  country,  which  abounds  in  all  portions  with  thick 
underbrush,  the  enemy  were  enabled  to  keep  themselves  under 
cover,  while  our  men  were  obliged  either  to  hunt  them  from  their 
hiding  places  or  wait  for  uncertain  glimpses  through  the  dense  shrub 
bery.  Notwithstanding  these  disadvantages  our  men  behaved  like 
veterans,  standing  up  before  the  enemy's  galling  fire  of  musketry 
without  wavering  or  wincing.  *  *  *  The  fire  of  our  troops 
was  most  effective.  After  charging  wildly  at  all  points  of  the  line, 
the  rebel  commander  gave  up  the  attempt  and  his  forces  fell  back 
in  hotter  haste  than  they  came  up.  *  *  *  Col.  Guss,  or  the 
97th  Pennsylvania,  who  had  command  of  our  forces  during  the 
fight,  rode  gallantly  up  and  down  the  line  encouraging  his  men,  and 
though  prominently  exposed,  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  escaped 


120  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

without  harm.  There  were  numerous  other  hair-breadth  escapes, 
to  be  accounted  for  only  by  the  fact  that  the  fire  was  so  rapid  and 
the  smoke,  in  consequence,  so  dense  as  to  partially  keep  the  men 
from  view.  *  *  * 

"From  the  New  York  Times:  'Our  latest  information  from  the 
division  advancing  toward  Charleston  is  to  the  following  effect:  On 
Tuesday  afternoon,  the  10th  inst.,  the  97th  Pennsylvania,  part  of 
the  47th  New  York  and  two  companies  of  the  6th  Connecticut  were 
attacked,  at  a  point  distant  three  miles  from  Gen.  Stevens'  position, 
by  a  large  force  of  rebels.  The  fight  was  warmly  contested  for  over 
two  hours  and  ended  with  the  rout  of  the  rebels,  with  loss  as  fol 
lows:  seventeen  killed,  six  prisoners  and  about  thirty  wounded. 
The  killed  were  buried  by  our  troops.  Our  losses  were  three  killed 
and  thirteen  wounded  of  the  97th  Pennsylvania.  The  action  is 
represented  as  having  been  close,  but  our  boys  fought  like  heroes.' 

"From  the  New  York  Tribune:  'On  the  10th,  there  was  another 
skirmish  (the  italics  will  be  pardoned  by  the  correspondent,  we 
thought  it  a  fight)  with  the  enemy  in  front,  in  which  the  enemy,  the 
attacking  party,  were  repulsed,  with  slight  loss  on  our  side,  say 
three  or  four  killed,  and  a  much  greater  loss  on  theirs.  Our  forces 
were  composed  of  the  47th  New  York  [two  companies  only]  and 
the  97th  Pennsylvania.  Both  regiments  did  well  and  each  secured 
the  congratulations  of  their  friends." 

"It  is  interesting  to  notice  the  friendly  and  not  unwholesome 
rivalry  that  exists  between  the  corps  of  the  different  States.  Take, 
as  an  illustration,  a  colloquy  that  took  place,  yesterday,  between  a 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania  colonel,  on  the  subject  of  the  battle : 
' Well,  colonel,  that  was  quite  a  brilliant  affair.'  'Yes,  the  97th 
did  well.'  'The  47th,  you  mean.'  'No,  I  mean  the  97th.'  'No, 
sir,  you  are  quite  mistaken;  the  brunt  of  that  action  fell  upon  the 
47th.'  '  How  comes  it,  then,  that  the  only  men  killed  were  those  of 
the  97th  Pennsylvania  Regiment V  'Yes,  that  is  a  fact;  they  were 
in  the  reserve.'  'Odd  that  they  should  have  began  by  attacking 
our  reserves;  but,'  continued  Pennsylvania,  'who  was  in  command 
of  our  forces'?  was  it  not  Col.  Guss  of  the  97th"?'  'Bully  for  you, 
colonel,  you  have  got  me  there;  but  the  47th  did  nobly.'  'So  they 
did,  and  all  honor  to  them;'  and  the  friendly  dispute  ended  in  a 
laugh  all  around." 

The  97th  was  relieved  from  picket,  by  the  76th  P.  V.,  on  the 
evening  after  the  action.  The  rebels  continued  to  shell  the  lines  of 


1862.  ] 


OPERATIONS   OX    JAMES    ISLAND. 


PICKETS   ON    DUTY. 


picket  at  intervals, 
both  day  and  night, 
and  frequently  fired 
upon  them  stealthily, 
under  cover  of  the 
darkness,  and  made 
many  desperate  at 
tempts  to  drive  them 
from  their  position, 
but  without  success, 
for  the  picket  main 
tained  careful  watch 
fulness,  often  ad 
vancing  through  the 
woods  to  observe  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  whose  pickets  were  equally  on  the  alert. 

The  1st  New  York  Engineers  were  engaged  in  erecting  works 
on  which  to  mount  two  thirty-pound  Parrott  guns  and  one  large 
James  gun  that  had  been  effectively  used  in  breaching  Fort  Pulaski. 
Details  for  this  work  were  furnished  by  the  97th  and  other  regi 
ments. 

On  the  evening  of  June  12,  Companies  E,  F  and  K  of  the  97th 
were  detailed  for  outpost  duty,  and  advanced  upon  a  road  leading 
to  Charleston,  reaching  the  junction  of  a  road  toward  Wappoo  Cut 
and  the  Stono  River,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  estab 
lished  picket  line,  an  outpost  only  having  been  kept  up  on  this  road. 
Capt.  Lewis,  of  Company  F,  was  in  command  of  the  detachment, 
with  Capt,  Wayne,  of  Company  K,  and  Lieut.  McGrath,  of  Com 
pany  E.  The  orders  were  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  enemy, 
who  was  directly  in  front  of  the  position,  their  skirmish  and  picket 
lines  being  within  short  musket  range.  Col.  Spidel,  of  the  6th 
Connecticut  Volunteers,  officer  of  the  day,  in  giving  his  instruc 
tions,  said,  "  the  detachment  has  been  assigned  to  this  post  of  trust 
and  danger  because  the  97th,  on  the  10th  inst,,  proved  them 
selves  worthy  to  be  placed  in  positions  upon  which  depended  the 
safety  of  the  army  of  the  South." 

His  commands  were,  if  the  enemy  should  attack  in  force,  to  hold 
the  position  and  keep  him  in  check  until  the  whole  force  could  be 
aroused  and  prepared  for  their  reception,  then  to  retire  by  the  left 
close  to  the  Stono,  under  cover  of  the  gunboats,  so  as  to  leave  an 


122  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

open  field  for  the  forces  in  the  rear  to  meet  the  enemy's  advance. 
Videttes  were  also  to  be  placed  on  the  right,  to  guard  against  sur 
prise. 

At  dark,  a  lieutenant  and  four  men  were  to  be  sent  forward 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  to  an  angle  of  the  Charleston 
road,  and  to  advance  a  picket  force  across  toward  the  Stono  River 
on  the  other  road.  The  wood  on  the  right  was  a  dense  growth  of 
palmetto,  pine  and  live  oak  in  front,  while  to  the  left  it  was  more 
open.  The  enemy  began  to  shell  the  position  soon  after  it  had  been 
reached,  at  4  P.  M.,  but  without  serious  effect.  At  dusk,  Lieut. 
Wainwright,  with  four  men,  was  sent  to  the  angle  of  the  road, 
but,  before  he  could  get  his  men  posted,  they  were  fired  upon  and 
forced  to  retire,  Lieut.  Wainwright  being  wounded  in  the  thigh. 
By  the  enemy's  firing,  it  was  discovered  they  had  pickets  posted 
in  a  position  to  command  the  rear  of  Capt.  Lewis'  command.  He 
then  posted  men  in  a  line  extending  back  to  the  main  picket  force, 
with  orders  to  watch  the  flashing  of  the  enemy's  guns  to  ascertain 
the  locality  of  their  posts,  and  to  return  their  fire  as  effectually  as 
possible.  The  main  body  of  the  command  was  then  ordered  to  lie 
down  upon  their  arms  in  line  across  the  road. 

The  artillery  and  musketry  firing  of  the  enemy  continued  until 
near  10  P.  M.,  when  it  suddenly  ceased.  The  quiet  became  omi 
nous  of  an  attack  and  preparations  were  immediately  made  to  re 
ceive  it.  Lieut.  McGrath  was  sent  to  the  right,  and  Capt.  Wayne 
to  the  left,  to  make  observation  of  the  situation.  Capt.  Lewis  re 
mained  to  hold  his  command  in  readiness  to  meet  the  enemy.  While 
these  arrangements  were  being  completed,  firing  commenced  in 
front  of  Company  E.  Some  men  of  that  company  came  in  wounded, 
accompanied  by  Lieut.  McGrath,  who  reported  the  enemy  in  force 
advancing  through  the  palmettoes  at  the  northwest  angle  of  the 
road.  While  making  his  report,  the  enemy  was  upon  them  with  a 
yell.  The  boys  stood  up  to  their  work  nobly  and  well,  delivering 
a  steady  and  incessant  fire  upon  the  advancing  foe.  The  contest 
lasted  about  eighteen  minutes,  when  the  enemy,  finding  their  pro 
gress  so  stubbornly  resisted,  retired,  but  continued  to  shell  the 
position,  making  it  inadvisable  to  remain  upon  the  road.  The  force 
was  then  moved  back  a  few  yards  out  of  range  and  stood  at  arms 
until  morning.  Upon  examining  the  ground  over  which  the  enemy 
had  advanced,  there  was  found  every  appearance  of  their  having 
suffered  severely,  from  the  number  of  blood  traces  upon  the  ground 


1862 -1  OPERATIONS  ON    JAMES   ISLAND.  123 

and  palmetto  leaves.  It  had  evidently  been  their  purpose  to  sur 
prise  and  capture  the  entire  force,  but  in  which  they  were  most 
signally  disappointed. 

The  wounded,  beside  Lieut.  Wainwright,  were  Sergt.  II.  Powell 
Fithian,  Company  K,  left  hand;  Privates  Charles  Haslem,  Com 
pany  E,  in  right  leg,  (since  dead);  Joseph  Little,  Company  E,  right 
arm,  and  John  C.  Nicholson,  Company  E,  left  side.  The  detach 
ment  was  relieved,  on  the  13th,  by  Companies  A,  C,  D  and  I  of  the 
97th  P.  V.  For  many  nights,  the  men  in  camp  were  required  to  lie 
upon  their  arms,  in  line  of  battle,  at  the  edge  of  the  camp,  to  be 
ready  for  instant  service. 

The  rebel  batteries  continued  to  shell  the  lines,  day  and  night, 
The  picket  lines,  being  about  six  hundred  yards  apart,  also  kept  up 
a  constant  firing  at  the  front. 

On  June  14,  the  enemy  opened  their  batteries  quite  vigorously 
upon  Gen.  Stevens'  position.  His  batteries  returned  the  fire  and, 
being  joined  by  the  gunboats,  the  rebel  guns  were  soon  silenced. 

On  June  15,  Gen.  Stevens'  batteries  shelled  the  rebels  at  Seces 
sion  ville  all  day. 

After  effecting  the  occupation  of  James  Island,  Gen.  Hunter, 
realizing  that  an  immediate  advance  upon  Charleston  was  now  im 
practicable,  had  returned  to  Hilton  Head,  leaving  Brig.  Gen.  Henry 
W.  Benham  in  command,  with  orders  to  strengthen  and  maintain 
the  position  and  await  further  orders  before  advancing.  The  enemy 
at  Secession  ville,  under  command  of  Col.  J.  G.  Lamar,  brought  the 
guns  of  their  batteries  to  bear  effectually  upon  the  Union  camps, 
threatening  the  security  of  the  position.  Gen.  Benham  resolved  to 
attempt  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  at  that  place.  Accord 
ingly,  on  the  morning  of  June  16,  Gen.  Stevens,  with  the  brigades 
of  Cols.  W.  M.  Fen  ton  and  U.  Leasure,  moved  just  before  dawn  to 
make  the  assault.  It  had  been  intended  to  surprise  the  garrison, 
but  it  became  fully  daylight  before  the  works  were  reached.  Gen. 
Wright's  force  was  ordered  to  support  Gen.  Stevens'  attack.  He 
had  inarched  his  command  from  camp  at  2  A.  M.  and  was  in  the 
position  to  which  he  was  ordered,  at  daylight,  ready  to  co-operate. 
The  8th  Michigan  and  the  79th  New  York  Highlanders,  leading 
Gen.  Stevens'  attack,  captured  the  enemy's  pickets.  They  then  ad 
vanced  along  the  narrow  strip  of  land,  the  only  approach  to  the 
works,  being  met  by  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  grape  and  cannister. 
A  most  desperate  attempt  was  now  made  by  Gen.  Stevens'  force  to 


124  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

press  forward  and  scale  the  earthworks.  The  leading  regiments 
succeeded  in  gaining  a  position  beyond  the  causeway,  at  the  ex 
treme  right  of  the  works,  but  encountering  a  wide  ditch  seven  feet 
deep  and  parapet  seven  feet  high,  protected  by  abattis  and  with  an 
impassable  swamp  in  front  and  upon  the  left  of  the  fort,  it  was 
found  that  the  works,  defended  by  a  full  garrison,  whose  fire  was 
most  effective,  could  not  be  carried  by  assault.  Gen.  Stevens'  force 
finally  fell  back,  having  lost  in  a  short  time  about  six  hundred  men. 
When  Gen.  Stevens'  attack  commenced,  Gen.  Wright  directed  Col. 
Robert  Williams,  of  the*  6th  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  commanding 
his  leading  brigade,  to  advance  two  of  his  regiments,  the  3d  New 
Hampshire  and  the  97th  Pennsylvania,  to  support  the  assault.  They 
dashed  forward  through  a  swamp  and  across  the  open  fields  in  front 
of  the  enemy's  works  to  a  deep  ditch  within  two  hundred  yards  of 
the  batteries.  The  position  was  gained,  without  casualty,  under  a 
heavy  fire.  The  men  at  work  upon  the  guns  could  be  seen  and  by 
a  well-directed  fire  were  materially  interrupted.  The  97th  was  soon 
ordered  to  a  point  on  the  left,  close  under  the  guns  of  the  fort, 
having  to  cross  another  deep  swamp.  The  sharp-shooters  kept  the 
enemy's  guns  from  doing  much  harm.  In  crossing  the  swamp,  Col. 
Guss'  horse  getting  fast  he  dismounted,  and  in  the  effort  to  get  his 
horse  through  came  near  being  thrown  under  him  in  his  struggles, 
but  succeeded  in  getting  safely  over.  The  Regiment  reached  a 
position  a  little  sheltered  by  the  inequality  of  the  ground,  where  it 
remained,  to  cover  Capt.  Hamilton's  Battery,  Company  E,  3d  U.  S. 
Art.,  which  had  opened  fire  upon  a  rebel  battery  just  in  advance  of 
our  position.  The  men  were  ordered  to  lie  down  to  avoid  the  shell 
from  both  sides. 

The  gunboats  on  Stono  River  also  opened  fire  upon  the  enemy, 
but  their  shell  falling  short  dropped  close  to  our  left,  exploding  in 
the  ground  and  covering  the  men  with  mud  and  dirt,  but  failed  to 
cause  any  wavering.  After  three  or  four  shell  had  thus  threatened 
destruction  to  the  men,  the  gunboats  were  signalled  to  stop  firing. 
The  artillery  duel  overhead  was  kept  up  briskly  for  over  half  an 
hour,  when  the  enemy's  guns  ceased.  Col.  Guss  then  sent  Capt. 
Price,  with  a  few  men,  forward  to  examine  the  situation.  They  pro 
ceeded  cautiously  into  a  timber  slashing,  on  the  left,  a  sufficient  dis 
tance  to  ascertain  that  there  could  be  no  advance  of  the  enemy 
through  it,  returned  and  reported  to  Col.  Guss.  The  Regiment  was 
advanced  to  a  point  nearer  the  rebel  position  and  the  men  again 


ACTION    AT    SECESSION VILLE.  125 

ordered  to  lie  down  to  avoid  unnecessary  exposure.  Many  of  the 
men  were  so  overcome  by  weariness  from  the  arduous  night  ma  roll, 
as  to  fall  into  sound  sleep  amid  the  crash  of  shot  and  shell,  while 
lying  upon  the  ground  awaiting  orders  to  move. 

At  this  time,  it  was  evident  that  Gen.  Stevens'  forces  were  un 
able  to  obtain  access  to  the  works,  and  had  suffered  severe  loss  with 
out  advantage,  although  the  men  engaged  had  displayed  a  courage 
and  determination  which,  under  better  auspices,  would  have  secured 
success.  Orders  were  given  to  withdraw  the  forces,  measures  being 
taken  to  bring  off  the  killed  and  wounded. 

The  position  held  by  the  97th,  in  addition  to  serving  as  cover  to 
the  other  forces  engaged,  by  preventing  a  flank  movement  by  the 
enemy,  enabled  the  men  to  bring  off  all  the  wounded  and  most  of 
the  killed  within  reach.  When  the  order  was  given  to  retire,  the 
97th  P.  V.  remained  in  position  to  cover  the  movement,  being  the 
last  regiment  to  leave  the  front.  Col.  Guss,  with  his  usual  cool 
deliberation,  marched  his  Regiment  off  the  field  by  division  front, 
moving  en  echelon,  in  perfect  order  and  precision,  as  upon  battalion 
drill,  eliciting  the  admiration  of  the  entire  command,  which,  having 
halted  in  rear  of  a  sheltered  position,  had  opportunity  of  observing 
the  movement.  Even  the  enemy  must  have  respected  the  cool  com 
mander  who  thus  led  his  men  in  order  from  the  hotly-contested  field, 
as  not  a  gun  was  fired  upon  the  Regiment  after  the  movement  com 
menced. 

On  passing  to  the  rear  of  the  assembled  troops,  Col.  Guss  received 
the  thanks  of  Gen.  Benham  for  his  brilliant  movements  upon  the 
field,  and  the  Regiment  and  its  officers  were  heartily  cheered  by  the 
entire  force  as  it  passed  to  the  right  of  the  column. 

The  morning  after  the  action,  Col.  Robert  Williams,  who  com 
manded  the  brigade,  addressed  the  following  letter  to  Gov.  Curtin, 
commendatory  of  Col.  Guss  and  his  Regiment  for  their  part  in  that 
action: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  IST  BRIGADE,  IST  DIVISION,  K)TH  A.  C. 
GRIMBALL'S  PLANTATION,  JAMES  ISLAND,  June  17,  186'2. 
To  His  EXCELLENCY  Gov.  CURTIN,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

GOVERNOR  :  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  this  letter  to  your  ex 
cellency  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  to  you  my  admiration  of  the 
bravery  and  soldierly  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  97th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  in  the  battle  of  Secessionville,  on  James 


126  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

Island,  S.  C.,  June  16,  1862.  The  whole  Regiment,  although  ex 
posed  to  heavy  fire,  behaved  as  well  as  any  regiment  could  have 
done.  To  Col.  Guss  my  thanks  are  particularly  due,  not  only  for 
the  excellent  manner  in  which  he  carried  out  my  orders,  but  for  the 
example  he  set  to  the  Regiment  of  the  greatest  courage  and  cool 
ness. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  WILLIAMS, 
Colonel  1st  Mass.  Cav.,  Commanding  Brigade. 

On  June  24,  1862,  Col.  Williams  also  issued  the  following  order 
of  admiration  and  thanks  to  the  troops  of  his  brigade: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  JAMES  ISLAND,  S.  C., 
GRIMBALL'S  PLANTATION,  June  24,  1862. 
Special  Order  No.  5. 

I.  The   colonel  commanding  desires  to  express  to  the  3d  New 
Hampshire,  the  3d  Rhode  Island  and  the  97th  Pennsylvania  Vo 
lunteers  his  sincere  thanks  for,  as  well  as  his  greatest  admiration 
of,  their  bravery  and  good  order  during  the  battle  of  the  16th  inst. 
He  feels  assured  that  no  troops  could  have  behaved  better,  and  that 
when  they  again  meet  the  enemy  their  brave  comrades,  who  have 
fallen   in    the   glorious   performance  of  their  duties,  will  be  duly 
avenged. 

II.  The  names  of  those  officers  and  soldiers  who  have  been  spe 
cially  mentioned  for  gallantry  and  good  conduct,  during  the  action, 
shall  be  forwarded  not  only  to  the  commanding  general  but  to  the 
governor  of  the  State  to  which  they  respectively  belong.     *      *      * 

By  order  of  ROBERT  WILLIAMS,  Act.  Brig.  Gen. 

[Signed]  CHANNING  CLAPP,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

To  COL.  Guss,  Commanding  97th  Penna.  Vols. 

Col.  Williams  was  subsequently  promoted  to  brigadier  general 
of  the  United  States  Army,  and  after  the  war  was,  for  several  years, 
assistant  adjutant  general,  on  duty  at  the  War  Department,  Wash 
ington. 

This  movement  upon  the  enemy's  works,  although  failing  of  suc 
cess,  was,  in  its  development  of  the  valor,  discipline  and  courageous 
determination  of  the  troops  and  officers,  under  a  heavy  and  disas 
trous  fire,  a  most  signal  achievement. 


1862.1  OPERATIONS   ON    JAMES   ISLAND.  127 

The  97th  P.  V.  had  only  one  man  wounded,  Private  Thomas  Mc- 
Intosh,  Company  I,  in  knee,  and  lost  one  man,  Gabriel  Spence,  a 
member  of  the  band,  captured  by  rebel  scouts,  two  of  whom  were 
taken  by  the  Regiment  during  the  action.  The  troops  reached 
camp  at  2  P.  M.,  just  twelve  hours  after  leaving  it. 

A  commission  was  received,  June  19,  1862,  for  Qr.  Mr.  Sergt. 
James  T.  Skiles  as  2d  lieutenant  of  Company  B,  and  on  the  22d 
one  for  Sergt.  Maj.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  as  2d  lieutenant  of  Com 
pany  H,  to  date  from  April  30,  1862.  The  officers  named  were 
duly  mustered  in  that  rank.  Lieut.  Lemaistre  rejoined  his  company 
and  was  detailed  as  adjutant  for  detachment,  by  order  of  Lieut.  Col. 
A.  P.  Duer,  commanding  at  Legarecville.  Corp.  Samuel  W.  Haw. 
ley,  of  Company  C,  was  promoted  to  sergeant  major,  to  date  from 
June  6,  and,  on  July  1,  Private  George  L.  Taggart,  of  Company  A, 
was  promoted  to  quarter-master  sergeant. 

During  the  occupancy  of  James  Island,  the  97th  Regiment  per 
formed  picket  duty  on* June  9,  12,  13,  15,  17,  19,  21,  23,  27,  29, 
30  and  July  1 ;  also  engaged  in  the  actions  of  June  10  and  16,  and 
furnished  fatigue  details  of  the  whole  or  larger  part  of  the  Regi 
ment  on  June  12,  19,  22  and  25.  During  most  of  the  nights, 
when  not  at  the  front,  the  men  were  required  to  sleep  upon  their 
arms  in  the  intrenchments  near  the  camp,  to  be  ready  for  instant 
service.  Mosquitoes  were  a  terrible  annoyance,  night  and  day,  to 
the  men  on  picket,  the  air  being  filled  with  them ;  the  bite,  from 
which  there  seemed  no  escape,  was  poisonous  and  irritating.  But, 
throughout  all  these  privations  and  most  arduous  duties,  there  was 
no  murmuring  or  shrinking  from  service  by  the  men,  who  seemed 
to  vie  with  each  other  in  faithfulness  and  endurance. 

During  these  land  operations,  the  naval  force,  before  Charleston, 
had  entered  upon  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  and  the  land 
batteries  on  Morris  and  Sullivan  Islands,  but  owing  to  the  nature  of 
the  obstructions  in  the  channels  of  the  harbor  the  fleet  was  unable 
to  come  into  close  range,  so  as  to  concentrate  a  sufficient  fire  to 
prove  effective  in  reducing  those  strongholds.  After  exhausting 
every  available  means  to  remove  these  difficulties,  and  to  get  the 
fleet  into  effective  range,  it  was  determined  to  withdraw  the  forces 
and  await  the  preparation  of  a  larger  fleet,  with  more  iron  clads  and 
monitors,  strong  enough  to  run  in  close  under  the  guns  of  the 
enemy's  works.  This  determination  now  suspended  the  active  land 
operations. 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [July' 

It,  therefore,  became  necessary  to  evacuate  James  Island,  on  ac 
count  of  the  exposure  of  the  land  force  to  attack  by  a  greatly  su 
perior  force  of  the  enemy,  sheltered  by  natural  defences  and  in  com 
mand  of  approaches  by  which  they  could  throw  their  entire  force 
upon  any  available  position,  requiring  of  the  force  occupying  the 
island  constant  vigilance  and  most  arduous  effort  to  avoid  surprise 
and  capture.  Most  of  the  stores  having  been  reshipped,  on  June 
29  and  30,  Gen.  Wright  received  orders,  on  July  1,  to  embark  his 
division  on  the  transports  during  the  ensuing  night,  leaving  the 
97th  P.  V.  to  cover  the  movement  and  support  the  pickets,  which 
were  to  be  withdrawn  early  on  the  morning  of  July  2.  Companies 
C  and  E  of  the  97th,  being  a  part  of  the  picket  force  detailed  on 
the  evening  of  the  1st,  were  on  duty  when  the  line  was  relieved  by 
a  small  force  of  cavalry  at  such  points  as  afforded  the  enemy  op 
portunity  to  follow  the  retiring  force.  At  sunrise,  the  cavalry  was 
also  withdrawn.  When  the  pickets  reached  camp,  the  97th  was  in 
line  for  the  march  to  Gen.  Stevens'  position.  The  Regiment  pitched 
tents  near  the  camp  of  Gen.  Stevens'  troops,  the  division  having  to 
await  transportation  until  the  return  of  the  vessels  which  had  taken 
Gen.  Wright's  division  to  North  Edisto.  When  the  Regiment  left 
its  camp,  in  the  morning,  the  sick  were  sent  in  ambulances  to  the 
wharf,  at  Gen.  Stevens'  landing,  to  be  sent  on  board  transports. 
Private  Lewis  C.  Peirce,  of  Company  C,  having  been  quite  ill  and 
very  weak,  fell  dead,  of  heart  disease,  just  as  he  was  arising  to  go 
upon  the  steamer.  He  was  a  most  faithful  and  deserving  young 
man,  amiable  and  beloved  by  all.  He  persisted  in  remaining  upon 
duty  while  he  could  shoulder  his  musket,  though  often  urged  to 
remain  in  his  quarters  by  his  commanding  officer.  Corp.  B.  L. 
Kent  and  Private  Anthony  Grimes,  of  Company  C,  were  detailed  to 
take  his  body  to  Hilton  Head,  and,  if  possible,  send  .it  north;  but, 
being  delayed  on  the  way,  it  was  found  impossible.  Only  by  the 
greatest  effort  did  they  succeed  in  having  it  landed  and  interred  in 
the  cemetery  at  Hilton  Head. 

July  4,  1862,  was  celebrated  at  James  Island  by  a  national  salute 
from  the  guns  of  the  steamer  Pawnee  and  the  land  batteries.  De 
tails  were  set  to  work  to  level  the  earthworks  erected  by  the  enemy 
on  Stono  River,  in  which  the  97th  P.  V.  participated;  also  fur 
nished  portions  of  the  picket  while  it  remained  with  Gen.  Stevens' 
division.  By  July  7,  the  transports  had  returned  and  his  entire 
orce  had  embarked,  the  97th  Regiment  again  forming  the  rear 


EVACUATION   OF   JAMES   AND    EDISTO   ISLANDS.  129 

guard.  Companies  13  and  E,  having  been  detailed  upon  picket, 
remained  at  the  front  until  after  the  other  companies  of  the  Regi 
ment  had  also  embarked  on  the  steamer  Delaware,  after  which  those 
companies  were  withdrawn  from  picket  and  taken  on  board  the 
steamer  Ben  Deford,  with  the  6th  Connecticut.  These  vessels  then 
proceeded  to  North  Edisto  Island  to  land  the  troops.  Thus  ter 
minated  the  advance  against  Charleston,  of  1862. 

The  Regiment  occupied  its  former  camp  ground.  After  making 
the  necessary  shelter  for  the  tents,  to  guard  against  the  intense 
heat,  and  putting  the  camp  in  order,  the  regular  routine  of  com 
pany  and  battalion  drill  was  resumed  and  continued  with  the  usual 
camp  and  picket  duty. 

Within  a  very  short  time,  however,  it  became  evident  that  Edisto 
was  to  be  evacuated  as  soon  as  the  necessary  transportation  could 
be  had  to  transfer  the  troops  to  points  of  more  importance.  In  the 
meantime,  Edisto  became  the  scene  of  interesting  camp  experiences, 
interspersed  with  the  adventurous  advance  of  foraging  parties 
beyond  the  lines,  to  procure  substantial  and  the  delicacies  of  the 
season,  which  the  luxurious  climate  and  soil  produced  in  abundance. 
Berries,  tomatoes,  okra,  and  indeed  almost  every  variety  of  vege 
tables,  afforded  many  a  delicious  meal  to  the  hungry  soldiers  after 
their  toilsome  campaign  on  James  Island,  with  nothing  but  salt 
junk,  hard  tack  and  coffee. 


130 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[July, 


CHAPTER  V. 

HILTON  HEAD;  PICKET  DUTY  ON  BROAD  RIVER;  YELLOW  FEVER; 
GENERAL  MITCHEL  IN  COMMAND  OF  DEPARTMENT;  POCOTALIGO: 
DEATH  OF  GENERAL  MITCHEL  ;  MORTALITY  AMONG  THE  TROOPS  : 
ST.  HELENA  AND  BRADDOCK'S  POINT;  JULY,  1862,  TO  APRIL,  1863. 

N  July  16,  Gen.  Wright's  force  was  ordered  to  Hil 
ton  Head.  The  97th  struck  tents  on  the  morning 
of  that  day.  No  teams  having  been  landed  since 
the  return,  the  tents  had  now  to  be  carried  to  the 
wharf,  as  they  had  previously  been  carried  to  the 
camp,  by  the  men.  The  expected  transports  not 
arriving  the  night  was  passed  by  the  troops  under 
their  blankets.  The  transports  not  making  their  ap 
pearance  on  the  17th,  the  waiting  became  most 
tedious  and  exposing.  The  weather  remaining  fine,  but  little  com 
plaint  was  heard. 

At  2.30  A.  M.,  on  the  18th,  the  Regiment  was  called  up  to  em 
bark  on  the  steamer  Delaware.  Started  at  4.30  A.  M.  for  Port 
Royal  Harbor,  arrived  at  9.30  A.  M.,  landed  on  Hilton  Head  and 
marched  to  a  point  just  outside  the  stockade  porte  on  the  right  of 
the  road  leading  toward  Drayton's  Plantation, 
where  the  Regiment  stacked  arms  and  the  men 
were  set  to  work  preparing  the  ground  for  camp 
it  being  an  old  cotton  field,  with  ridges  across 
and  the  dead  cotton  stocks  still  standing.  The 
tents  not  arriving,  the  men  had  to  make  them 
selves  content  with  their  blankets  another  night. 
Some  of  the  officers  and  men  obtained  a  pass  to 
visit  the  interior  picket  line,  near  a  contraband 
settlement,  afterward  named  Mitchelville,  the  houses  being  built, 
by  the  negroes,  of  rough  boards  and  slabs,  obtained  at  a  sawmill 
which  was  worked  by  men  detailed  to  provide  lumber  for  general 


HOUSE    AT    M1TCHELVILLK. 


1802.]  OFFICERS  ON    POST   DUTY   AT   HILTON    HEAD.  131 

purposes,  the  slabs  being  given  to  the  negroes  who  stood  waiting 
for  them  as  they  fell  from  the  saw. 

The  tents  arrived  on  the  19th,  when  the  camp  was  arranged  in 
order. 

The  Regiment  was  occupied  in  company  and  battalion  drill,  fur 
nishing  the  usual  detail  for  picket  and  work  upon  the  intrenchments, 
during  the  remainder  of  the  month.  Many  of  the  men  were  af 
fected  with  chills  and  chronic  diarrhoea,  and  some  cases  of  dysentery 
occurred,  keeping  the  hospital  attendants  busy  in  giving  the  requi 
site  attention  to  the  sick.  The  weather  was  extremely  hot,  the 
mercury  ranging  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  five  degrees 
in  the  shade. 

During  July,  eight  men  were  discharged  and  four  died,  one  of 
them,  Charles  llaslem,  Company  E,  of  wounds  received  June  12. 

Soon  after  the  return  of  Gen.  Wright's  division  to  Hilton  Head, 
that  officer  was  ordered  to  a  new  military  department  in  the  west. 
Gen.  Stevens,  with  his  division,  also  went  north  to  Virginia.  He 
was  subsequently  killed,  at  the  head  of  his  division,  in  action, 
at  Chantilly,  Va.,  on  September  1,  1862. 

The  command  of  the  post,  at  Hilton  Head,  August  1,  1862,  de 
volved  upon  Col.  Robert  Williams,  of  the  1st  Mass.  Cav.,  who  went 
north  soon  after,  leaving  the  command  of  the  post,  to  Col.  H.  R. 
Guss,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  he  being  the  senior  officer  present.  This 
position  he  held  until  September  22,  when  he  was  relieved  by  the 
return  of  Col.  Nathaniel  W.  Brown,  of  the  3d  Rhode  Island  Artil 
lery,  who  had  been  absent  north  on  leave.  Col.  Guss  having  ap 
pointed  Adj.  II.  W.  Carruthers,  97th  P.  V.,  post  adjutant,  1st 
Lieut.  J.  J.  Barber,  of  Company  K,  was  detailed  as  acting  adjutant 
for  the  Regiment,  of  which  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Uuer  was  then  in 
command. 

About  August  13,  a  general  court-martial  was  convened,  at 
Hilton  Head,  of  which  Col.  Guss  was  president  and  Capt.  F.  M. 
Guss,  of  the  97th,  a  member.  It  remained  in  session  for  a  short 
time. 

The  16th  of  August  was  observed  as  a  day  of  rest  at  the  post, 
in  observance  of  the  order  of  President  Lincoln. 

On  August  17,  Lieut.  David  Jones,  quarter-master  97th  P.  V., 
was  detailed  as  post  quarter-master,  at  Hilton  Head,  which  position 
he  held  until  October  1,  1863. 

At  the  same  time,  1st  Lieut.  J.  M.  C.  Savage,  Company  B,  was 


132  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

appointed  acting  quarter-master  97th  P.  V.  and  performed  the  duties 
until  September  16,  1862,  when  he  returned  to  the  command  of  his 
company,  Capt.  McCoy  having  been  appointed  post  inspector.  1st 
Lieut.  John  McGrath,  of  Company  E,  was  then  detailed  as  acting 
quarter-master  of  the  Regiment. 

Ass't  Surgeon  Miller,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  at  this  time  assigned 
to  the  care  of  a  ward,  in  the  general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head, 
which  he  retained  for  about  a  year.  The  charge  of  the  sick  of 

*  o 

the  Regiment  was  faithfully  attended  to  by  Surgeon  Everhart,  with 
out  other  assistance  than  his  usual  corps  of  attendants.  He  was  at 
all  times  most  assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  his  arduous  and  respon 
sible  duties,  proving  himself  a  most  valuable  and  successful  surgeon. 
Private  John  P.  Winterbottom,  of  Company  F,  was  discharged, 
for  disability,  on  the  18th. 

On  August  20,  Chaplain  William  Whitehead  resigned,  on  ac 
count  of  ill  health  from  climatic  causes.  He  had  been  a  faithful 
and  worthy  officer,  attentive  to  the  duties  of  his  calling  and  earnest 
in  his  efforts  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  charge.  He  re 
turned  to  his  home,  September  2,  1862.  The  Regiment  remained 
without  a  chaplain  until  the  summer  of  1864. 

On  August  29,  Gen.  Hunter  reviewed  the  entire  force,  upon  Hil 
ton  Head,  commanded  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  the  97th  P.  V.  being- 
oil  the  right  of  the  line,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer. 

On  August  30,  the 
97th  P.  V.  was  ordered 
to  relieve  the  7th  Conn., 
on  outpost  picket,  along 
Broad  River,  from  Sea- 
brook  Point  to  the  mouth 
of  Back  Creek,  about 
eight  miles  of  line.  The 
Regiment  marched  early 
in  the  morning  to  Dray- 

DRAYTON'S  MANSION.  ° 

ton  s  Plantation. 

From  this  point,  the  companies  were  distributed  as  follows :  Com 
panies  A,  F  and  I  stationed  at  Seabrook  Point,  under  command  of 
Maj.  G.  Pennypacker ;  Companies  B,  G  and  K  at  Stoney's  Plan 
tation,  where  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  established  his  head-quarters ;  Com 
panies  H  and  E  remained  at  Drayton's  Plantation,  under  command 
of  Capt.  McConnell,  and  Companies  C  and  D  at  Spanish  Wells, 


1802  ]  OUTPOST   DUTY   ON    BROAD    RIVER  133 

near  the  signal  station,  under  command  of  Capt.  Price,  of  Company 
0,  whose  line  extended  to  the  extreme  left,  at  the  mouth  of  Back 
Creek.  The  picket  duty  of  this  line,  designed  to  prevent  the  enemy 
crossing  or  passing  along  Broad  River,  was  performed  by  sentinels, 
at  points  in  sight  of  each  other,  each  having  its  relief  in  charge  of  a 
non-commissioned  officer,  with  a  commissioned  officer  in  charge  of 
each  section.  The  principal  and  important  watch  was  at  night, 
when  intermediate  sentinels  were  posted. 

On  August  31,  in  conformity  witli  an  act  of  Congress,  the  band 
of  the  97th  P.  V.  was  mustered  out  of  service,  by  Capt,  Jackson, 
inspector  general  and  mustering  officer  U.  S.  A.  The  men  left  for 
their  homes,  on  September  9,  having  tendered  to  Col.  Guss  a  part 
ing  serenade.  Willie  St.  John,  a  member  of  the  band,  enlisted  as 
musician,  in  Company  A,  and  remained  with  the  Regiment. 

During  the  month  of  August,  1862,  at  Hilton  Head,  the  fol 
lowing  deaths  occurred  in  the  Regiment:  Corp.  Israel  Oat,  Com 
pany  G,  August  10,  of  congestion  of  the  brain;  Privates  Peter 
Davis,  Company  E,  on  the  12th,  of  typhoid  fever;  Charles  Ililey, 
Company  E,  on  the  13th,  of  acute  diarrhoea;  Ezekiel  Walker, 
Company  C,  on  the  21st,  of  typhoid  dysentery.  These  men  were 
buried  in  the  cemetery  outside  the  intrenchments. 

The  Regiment  remained  on  duty,  on  Broad  River,  until  Septem 
ber  6,  at  11  A.  M.,  when  it  was  relieved  by  the  7Gth  P.  V.  The  de 
tachments  returned  separately  to  camp,  which  was  reached  at  3  P.  M. 

The  usual  routine  of  camp  and  garrison  duties  was  resumed, 
details  regularly  furnished  for  the  work  upon  the  intrenchments, 
etc.,  and  dress  parade  every  day. 

Dr.  William  C.  Morrison,  of  Cochranville,  Chester  Co.,  having 
been  assigned  to  the  97th  P.  V.,  in  accordance  with  an  act  of  Con 
gress  authorizing  an  additional  assistant  surgeon,  joined  the  Regi 
ment,  September  6,  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  discharge  of 
his  duties,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  Dr.  Everhart,  who  had  been  over 
taxed  with  the  sole  charge  of  the  sick  during  the  previous  month. 

On  the  evening  of  September  6,  at  dress  parade,  a  splendid  sword 
and  sash  were  presented  to  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  by  the  line  officers  of 
the  Regiment.  Capt.  G.  W.  Hawkins,  of  Company  I,  on  behalf  of 
the  officers,  tendered  the  sword,  in  a  very  neat  and  appropriate 
speech,  to  which  Col.  Guss  replied,  thanking  the  officers  for  this 
kind  and  unexpected  manifestation  of  appreciation  of  his  efforts  to 
discharge  his  duties  faithfully. 


134  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

On  September  9,  Brig.  Gen.  John  M.  Brannan,  U.  S.  V.  (now 
major  1st  Art.,  U.  S.  A.),  arrived  at  Hilton  Head.  He  was  received 
by  the  usual  salute  from  the  guns  on  the  forts.  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter 
having  been  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
South,  Gen.  Brannan  entered  temporarily  upon  the  duties  of  depart 
ment  commander. 

This  change  of  department  commanders  was  regarded  to  be  in 
consequence  of  the  emancipation  proclamation  of  Gen.  Hunter, 
and  his  measures  taken  to  enlist  the  negroes  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  in  advance  of  authorized  orders,  a  measure  that  ulti 
mately  received  the  sanction  of  the  government  and  secured  his  own 
restoration  to  the  command  of  the  department. 

2d  Lieut.  James  Williams,  of  Company  I,  having  resigned,  on 
September  8,  returned  home  on  the  10th. 

On  September  10,  1862,  Capts.  F.  M.  Guss,  of  Company  A,  and 
William  Wayne,  of  Company  K,  with  one  man  from  each  company, 
were  detailed  upon  recruiting  service.  They  sailed  for  New  York, 
on  the  steamer  Ericsson,  on  the  same  day. 

On  September  11,  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  was  detailed  upon  a  general 
court-martial,  convened  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.  The  Regiment  was  com 
manded  by  Maj.  Pennypacker  until  September  22.  Company  and 
battalion  drill  were  continued  with  regularity,  but  the  heat  be 
coming  oppressive,  some  of  the  men  fainted  in  the  ranks.  Mid 
day  drill  was  now  omitted.  In  the  camp,  arbors  of  green  boughs 
were  built  over  the  rows  of  tents  to  shelter  the  men  from  the  sun. 

On  the  18th  of  Sep 
tember,  Maj.  Gen.  O. 
M.  Mitchel  arrived,  at 
Port  Royal,  on  board 
the  steamer  Arago.  He 
was  received  with  the 
usual  salute.  Having 
been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  De 
partment  of  the  South, 

HEAD-QUARTERS   OF   HUNTER   AND   MITCHEL*  ng     relieved    \3GJL.    J.    M. 

Brannan  and  established 

his  head-quarters  in  the  building  on  the  wharf  lately  occupied  by 
Gen.  Hunter. 

On  the  day  afW  his  arrival,  Gen.  Mitchel  visited  the  camps  of 


1862.]  MITCHEL'S  PREPARATIONS  FOR  AN  ADVANCE.  135 

the  regiments  under  his  command  and  personally  inspected  the 
condition  of  all,  having  the  men  in  line  for  the  purpose. 

At  noon,  on  the  19th,  he  visited  the  97th  P.  V.  The  Regiment 
was  ordered  in  line  to  receive  him.  Col.  Guss  then  gave  the  com 
mand  "Close  column,  by  division,  on  the  centre  division,  right  in 
front."  The  movement  being  executed,  Gen.  Mitchel  rode  up  close 
in  front  of  the  men,  accompanied  by  the  members  of  his  staff  and 
Col.  Guss.  He  then  addressed  the  officers  and  men  in  a  few  very 
eloquent  and  stirring  remarks,  indicating  his  interest  in  the  great 
cause  in  which  they  were  engaged,  and  expressed  the  faith  he  had 
in  the  men  before  him,  into  whose  eyes  he  seemed  to  look,  saying 
he  could  recognize  in  their  faces  the  determination  to  have  that 
came  triumph.  He  was  enthusiastically  cheered  by  the  men,  who 
were  fully  impressed  that  he  would  prove  an  efficient  leader,  but, 
alas!  his  death  occurring,  within  a  very  short  time  after,  left  those 
hopes  unfulfilled. 

On  September  20,  the  Regiment  was  again  detailed  for  outpost 
picket,  on  Broad  River,  relieving  the  76th  P.  V.,  the  companies 
being  stationed  as  previously,  except  that  Company  H  was  added 
to  the  command  of  Capt.  Price,  at  Spanish  Wells.  The  camp  of 
the  detachment,  at  this  place,  was  situated  in  a  beautiful  pine  grove, 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  rear  of  the  signal  station  on  Broad  River. 
The  trees  were  apparently  of  many  years'  growth,  yet  the  ridges  of 
former  cultivation  were  plainly  perceptible.  An  old  negro,  who 
had  been  a  slave  upon  the  plantation  from  childhood,  said  he  could 
remember  when  the  grove  was  one  of  the  finest  cotton  fields  he  had 
ever  known;  it  had  never  failed  to  produce  a  heavy  crop;  and,  the 
last  time  it  had  been  planted,  there  was  every  prospect  of  a  larger 
yield  than  ever  before,  until,  just  as  the  bolls  were  about  to  burst, 
an  unusual  rain  and  heavy  flood  occurred,  which  for  several  days  in 
undated  the  field,  causing  the  bolls  to  rot  and  thus  ruined  the  en 
tire  crop.  The  master,  in  ci  great  rage,  then  swore  the  field  should 
never  be  planted  with  cotton  again.  Being  left  uncultivated,  it  had 
quickly  grown  up  with  pine  trees,  now  over  forty  years  old.  The 
cotton  ridges,  however,  remained  as  evidences  of  its  former  cultiva 
tion. 

The  ground  was  well  adapted  for  a  camp  and  the  shade  made  it 
a  most  pleasant  spot.  The  tents  were  mostly  constructed  of  a  frame 
work  of  poles,  the  sides  interlined  with  pine  boughs  and  a  canvas 
tent-fly  covering,  the  company  streets  and  unoccupied  ground  being 


136  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

kept  cleanly  swept  by  the  men.  The  camp  presented  a  most  pic 
turesque  appearance,  especially  by  moonlight.  It  was  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  all  the  experiences  of  camp  life  in  the 
South. 

The  adjacent  creeks,  leading  into  Broad  River,  afforded  most  ex 
cellent  fishing  ground,  in  which  the  men  were  allowed  to  indulge, 
when  off  duty,  obtaining  an  ample  supply  of  trout,  bass,  sheeps- 
head,  drum  and  other  delicious  fish.  Another  feature  of  interest 
was  found  in  a  beautiful  little  visitant  of  the  feathered  tribe,  quite 
small  in  size,  of  yellowish  drab,  slightly  varied  with  brown  upon  the 
wings  and  head,  very  tame  and  fearless.  These  birds  \vould  come  in 
the  tents  and  perch  about,  quite  at  home,  sometimes  taking  a  fancy 
to  the  toes  and  knees  of  the  men  as  they  reclined  upon  the  beds ; 
they  would  watch  for  the  flies  and  dart  off,  catch  their  prey  with  an 
audible  snap  and  then  return  to  their  perch  to  watch  for  another. 
There  seemed  to  be  a  perfect  understanding,  on  all  sides,  that 
these  little  comrades  were  not  to  be  frightened  or  molested,  nor  was 
there  a  single  instance  of  injury  to  one  of  them  known.  It  would 
have  been  resented  upon  the  offender  most  summarily  by  universal 
championship  of  "our  pets"  at  Spanish  Wells. 

There  were  also  many  beautiful  groves  of  live  oak,  majestic  in 
appearance,  under  whose  branches  it  was  pleasant  to  repose,  shel 
tered  from  the  intense  heat.  The  most  grand  of  these  were  found 
about  Beaufort  and  Port  Royal,  S.  C. 

On  September  25,  three  recruits  arrived  for  Company  A,  one  for 
Company  C  and  one  for  Company  H.  One  of  them,  Jonathan 
Philips,  had  been  discharged  from  Company  A,  for  disability,  the 
preceding  May.  Having  recovered,  he  now  returned  to  his  old  com 
pany. 

During  September,  many  of  the  men  were  taken  ill  with  an  inter 
mittent  fever.  Dr.  Everhart  frequently  reported  having  prescribed 
for  over  one  hundred  and  twenty  cases  in  one  day.  The  fever  as 
suming  a  malignant  type,  toward  the  end  of  the  month,  all  drill 
and  unnecessary  labor  was  discontinued. 

Ten  enlisted  men  of  the  Regiment  were  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate  of  disability,  during  the  month  of  September,  one  of 
whom  was  Hospital  Steward  Harmon  Heed.  Two  of  them,  Lewis 
Miller  and  William  C.  Lewis,  Company  K,  were  wounded  on  James 
Island.  Miller  died  at  home,  soon  after,  of  chronic  diarrhoea.  On 
the  l()th,  Private  Benjamin  Davis,  of  Company  D,  died,  of  typhoid 


1862  J  THE   CAMP   AT   SPANISH   WELLS.  137 

lever,  and  Private  George  Green,  of  Company  G,  died,  on  the  20th, 
of  chronic  diarrlura.  Dr.  Reuben  II.  Smith,  1st  sergeant  of  Com 
pany  G,  was  now  promoted  to  be  hospital  steward. 

About  this  time,  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  late  colonel  of  the  7th 
Conn.,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  a  brigade,  consisting  of  the 
7th  Conn.,  76th  and  97th  P.  V.,  and  the  3d  N.  II.  Gen.  Terry 
visited  the  line  of  outposts  held  by  the  97th  P.  V.,  on  Broad  River, 
and  expressed  his  great  satisfaction  at  finding  every  portion  of  the 
line  in  order,  notwithstanding  its  remoteness  and  the  monotony  of 
duty  presented  a  temptation  to  neglect  some  of  the  prescribed 


LIVK   OAK    GHOVK   AT   POUT    KOYAL. 


observances,  not  one  of  which  he,  coming  upon  them  unannounced, 
could  notice. 

Cavalry  pickets  of  the  enemy  were  frequently  seen,  at  Chimney 
Point,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  Regiment  remained 
on  duty,  on  Broad  River,  without  any  unusual  incident,  until  October 
10,  when  nine  companies  were  relieved  by  mounted  pickets,  a  de 
tail  from  the  1st  Mass.  Cav.;  Company  I,  of  the  97th,  being  left 
stationed  at  Seabrook  Point. 

On  October  13,  three  more  recruits  arrived  for  Company  A, 
making  it  the  largest  in  the  Regiment,  numbering,  at  that  time, 
ninety-five  effective  men. 


138  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

On  October  15,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj.  Julian  O.  Mason, 
paymaster  U.  S.  V.,  to  include  August  31,  1862. 

About  October  20,  1862,  two  cases  of  yellow  fever  occurred 
among  the  laborers  employed  in  the  quarter-master's  department, 
supposed  to  have  been  contracted  in  unloading  a  vessel  from  an 
infected  port. 

On  October  21,  Privates  Thomas  P.  McHale,  of  Company  E,  and 
John  Dixon,  of  Company  G,  died  in  camp,  of  yellow  fever,  after  an 
illness  of  only  a  few  hours.  Several  others  were  found  to  have 
contracted  that  disease,  and  many  were  ill  with  intermittent  fever, 
five  hundred  being  on  the  sick  list  at  that  time.  The  men  seemed 
to  manifest  no  alarm  at  the  presence  of  yellow  fever  in  the  Regi 
ment.  In  order  to  isolate  the  cases,  to  prevent  its  spreading,  re 
quired  a  guard  to  keep  them  from  going  to  see  those  sick  with  it. 
The  burial  party  would  often  ride  back  to  camp  on  the  wagon  that 
had  carried  the  corpse  to  the  cemetery. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Gen.  Mitchel,  having  completed  his  ar 
rangements  for  commencing  an  active  campaign  in  the  Department 
of  the  South,  had  organized  an  expedition  to  intercept  communica 
tion  between  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  Savannah,  Ga.,  to  the  com 
mand  of  which  Gen.  Brannan  was  assigned.  The  brigade  of  Brig. 
Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  was  one  of  those  selected  for  the  advance.  The 
troops  were  to  be  ready  to  march  on  the  afternoon  of  October  20. 

Capt.  Price,  of  Company  C,  having  been  detailed,  by  order  of 
Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchel,  as  president  of  a  military  commission,  in 
Special  Order  No.  325,  Head-Quarters  Department  of  the  South, 
dated  October  11,  1862,  was  engaged  upon  the  duties  thereof, 
when  the  order  to  march  was  received.  He  obtained  permission 
of  Gen.  Mitchel  to  adjourn  the  commission  in  order  to  accompany 
his  Regiment.  Capt.  Mcllvaine,  of  Company  H,  was,  at  the  same 
time,  detailed  upon  court-martial  as  judge  advocate,  and  made  a 
similar  application,  to  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  to  be  relieved  from  that 
duty  in  order  to  take  command  of  his  company.  His  request  was 
also  granted. 

At  the  hour  appointed  for  the  forces  to  march,  the  97th  was  in 
line  and  ready  to  move,  when  an  order  was  received,  countermand 
ing  the  marching  orders  of  the  97th,  on  account  of  the  prevalence 
of  the  yellow  fever  in  the  Regiment.  The  order  was  reluctantly 
obeyed.  The  brigades  of  Gen.  Brannan's  command  proceeded  upon 
transports  to  the  main  land  during  the  night  following.  After 


1M2-1  ACTION    AT    POCOTALIGO.       YELLOW    FEVER.  139 

landing  at  a  favorable  position,  marched  to  the  Pocotaligo  River, 
where  they  found  the  rebels  intrenched  at  a  bridge  which  inter 
cepted  the  way  to  the  railroad.  A  severe  engagement  ensued,  in 
which  the  men  suffered  greatly  from  the  rebel  artillery  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river.  The  troops  were  preparing  for  a  charge 
upon  the  bridge  when  the  rebels  set  fire  to  it,  destroying  it,  thus 
preventing  the  possibility  of  the  force  crossing  to  drive  them  from 
their  position.  The  76th  P.  V.  lost  seventy-six,  officers  and  men; 
the  47th  P.  V  ,  1st  brigade,  one  hundred  and  ten,  and  the  7th  Conn, 
had  twenty-nine  killed  and  wounded. 

On  October  '24,  Private  James  Wright,  of  Company  U,  died,  of 
yellow  fever,  in  the  general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  and  was 
buried,  on  the  same  day,  in  the  cemetery  outside  the  intrenehments. 
Hugh  O'Donnell,  Jr.,  a  drummer  of  Company  E,  also  died,  on  the 
same  day,  after  a  few  hours'  illness,  of  yellow  fever  of  the  most 
virulent  type,  and,  two  days  after,  his  father,  Private  Hugh  O'Don 
nell,  Sr.,  of  Company  E,  died  of  the  same  fever.  Also,  on  the  25th, 
in  general  hospital,  Private  Peter  McDonald,  of  Company  E,  died 
of  the  same  disease,  and  on  the  31st,  Wagoner  James  McNulty,  of 
Company  B,  died  in  camp,  a  very  virulent  case  of  the  fever.  He 
was  buried  early  in  the  morning,  soon  after  death,  and  his  tent, 
clothing,  etc.,  were  burned. 

Every  possible  sanitary  precaution  had  early  been  taken  to  pre 
vent  the  disease  spreading.  The  tents  of  the  Regiment  were  all 
raised  on  elevated  floors,  to  allow  free  circulation  of  air  under  and 
between  the  tents,  and  thorough  police  regulations  observed,  the 
tents  being  all  taken  down  every  morning  and  turned  inside  out, 
allowing  the  sunlight  to  fall  upon  the  floors,  clothing,  etc.,  the  tents 
remaining  down  during  the  day.  Through  these  precautions, 
though  the  disease,  in  many  cases,  manifested  its  full  malignancy, 
it  did  not  appear  to  become  very  contagious,  there  being  but  i'ew 
cases  of  nurses  taking  it,  and  many  others  had  gone  in  and  out,  to 
see  patients  affected  with  it,  with  impunity,  no  doubt  attributable  to 
being  so  much  in  the  open  air.  Had  this  fever  broken  out  among 
so  many  people  crowded  together  in  close  houses,  in  filthy  locali 
ties,  the  number  of  cases  and  the  mortality  would  have  been  fear 
fully  different. 

Maj.  Gen.  Mitchel,  being  stricken  with  the  fever,  was  removed  to 
Beaufort,  where,  it  was  hoped,  he  might  have  greater  chances  of 
recovery  and  better  treatment  in  more  comfortable  quarters.  He, 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

however,  fell  a  victim  to  the  disease,  on  October  30,  after  receiving 
every  available  medical -care,  and  the  kindest  nursing  at  the  hands 
of  Mrs.  Frances  D.  Gage,  at  that  time  at  Beaufort,  engaged  in  the 
care  and  education  of  the  freedmen. 

The  flags  in  the  harbor  and  upon  the  forts  and  public  departments 
were  all  displayed  at  half-mast,  and  every  demonstration  of  respect 
and  mourning  observed,  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  and  lamented 
commandant  of  the  department.  Upon  the  death  of  Gen.  Mitchel, 
Gen.  Brannan  resumed  the  command. 

On  October  24,  Capts.  William  McConnell,  of  Company  E,  and 
George  W.  Hawkins,  of  Company  I,  with  one  man  from  each  com 
pany,  were  detailed  upon  recruiting  service  and  started  north  to 
relieve  Capts.  Guss  and  Wayne,  previously  detailed  upon  that 
service.  While  absent,  Capt.  Hawkins  applied  for  appointment  to 
the  command  of  a  regiment  of  colored  troops,  and  was  ordered 
before  the  examining  board,  at  Washington,  appointed  to  select 
officers  for  the  colored  troops.  The  command  of  Company  I  now 
devolved  upon  1st  Lieut.  Sketchley  Morton,  Jr.,  of  that  company. 

Lieut.  Morton  was  soon  after  taken  ill,  at  Seabrook  Point,  where 
his  company  was  still  stationed.  He  was  brought  to  his  tent  in  the 
camp  of  the  Regiment  for  medical  attendance.  He  was  subse 
quently  sent  to  the  general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  the  disease 
having  proved  to  be  yellow  fever,  of  a  mild  type,  from  which  he 
became  convalescent,  but  a  relapse  occurred,  resulting  in  a  fatal 
termination  on  the  morning  of  November  12,  1862.  He  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  outside  the  intrenchments,  at  the  edge  of  a  pine 
grove,  just  at  sunset,  the  evening  after  his  death.  The  funeral  was 
attended  by  most  of  the  officers,  a  company  of  the  Regiment  forming 
the  escort.  This  being  the  first  death  of  an  officer  of  the  Regi 
ment,  it  was  a  sad  duty  to  perform,  consigning  to  the  grave,  so  far 
away  from  his  home  and  loved  ones,  one  so  young,  whose  life  had 
been  so  genial,  so  bright,  with  life's  anticipations  yet  unfulfilled. 
There  being  no  chaplain  present,  it  was  supposed  there  would  be  no 
other  services  than  the  usual  firing  over  the  grave  after  the  body 
had  been  lowered.  The  golden  rays  of  the  setting  sun  were  rest 
ing  upon  the  shadows  of  the  dark  pines  and  falling  through  the 
branches  upon  the  uncovered  heads  of  his  comrades,  who  stood 
around  silently  pausing  awhile  before  the  signal  should  be  given  to 
the  firing  party,  when,  without  previous  intimation,  the  adjutant 
of  the  Regiment,  1st  Lieut.  H.  W.  Carruthers,  advanced  a  fe\v 


L  i   £    LJ  T  C 


1862.1  DEATH    AND   BURIAL   OF    LIEUTENANT  MORTON.  141 

stops,  to  the  edge  of  the  grave,  and,  in  a  clear  but  subdued  voice, 
read  the  beautiful  Episcopal  burial  service  for  the  dead  in  a  most 
touching  and  impressive  manner.  All  felt  it  most  opportune  and 
were  grateful  for  the  inspiration  that  prompted  it.  No  ordained 
minister,  perhaps,  could  more  fitly  have  performed  his  office. 

The  following  notice  of  the  death  of  Lieut.  Morton  is  taken  from 
the  Delaware  County  Republican,  November  1862: 

"DEATH  OF  LIEUT.  SKETCHLEY  MORTON,  JR. — Intelligence  has 
reached  us,  from  Hilton  Hecid,  S.  C.,  of  the  death  of  this  noble 
young  man  and  brave  officer.  He  fell  a  victim  to  yellow  fever,  on 
the  l'2th  inst.,  after  an  illness  of  two  weeks,  in  the  United  States 
General  Hospital,  at  that  place,  deeply  and  universally  regretted  by 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  97th  Regiment  P.  V.,  to  which  he  was 
attached.  Lieut.  Morton  was  only  twenty-one  years  of  age.  His 
life  was  a  model  one  and  his  character  without  a  stain.  He  chose 
a  soldier's  life  from  a  sense  of  duty  and,  after  serving  through  the 
three  months'  campaign,  joined  the  97th  on  its  formation,  con 
tinuing  to  perform  active  service  until  stricken  down  by  the  fatal 
disease  which  carried  him  to  the  grave.  It  is  consoling  to  his  rela 
tives  and  friends  to  know  that  he  had  every  attention  shown  him 
that  was  possible  under  the  circumstances,  and  that  his  dying 
pillow  was  smoothed  by  the  kind  offices  of  his  companions  in  arms, 
by  one  of  whom  we  are  assured  that  he  lacked  nothing  which  the 
abundant  conveniences  and  excellent  arrangement  for  the  care  of 
the  sick  could  supply." 

A  brother  officer,  who  was  present  at  his  death,  writes:  "It  is  a 
consolation  to  know  that  he  gave  himself  to  his  country  in  the  hour 
of  peril,  and  that  in  her  service  he  was  ever  true  to  duty  both  in 
the  camp  and  in  the  field.  Before  the  enemy  he  quailed  not;  and 
now  that  he  is  called  away  to  a  higher  life,  he  has  left  his  name  in 
scribed  with  those  brave  ones  who  have  fallen  in  the  effort  to  main 
tain,  in  its  integrity,  the  best  government  God  ever  permitted  man 
to  make.  His  fellow  soldiers  lose  a  friend  and  associate  who  was 
ever  genial,  kind  and  courteous  in  all  his  intercourse  with  them, 
and  the  Regiment  a  faithful  and  efficient  officer.  Such  are  the  sa 
crifices  that  have  caused  countless  numbers  to  mourn  their  loved 
and  lost  in  so  many  homes  of  our  once  peaceful  and  happy  land 
now  desolated  by  the  ravages  of  a  wicked  rebellion." 

The  subjoined  sketch  of  Lieut.  Morton  is  by  J.  Hill  Martin,  Esq., 
author  of  History  of  Chester,  Delaware  County,  Pa.: 


142  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT.        [November, 

"Sketchley  Morton,  Jr.,  the  third  son  of  Judge  Sketchley  Mor 
ton  and  Elizabeth  Newlin,  his  wife,  was  born  at  his  father's  resi 
dence,  in  Springfield,  Delaware  County,  Pa.,  on  March  22,  1842. 
On  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  the  company 
raised  in  Delaware  County,  by  Capt.  George  W.  Hawkins,  and  was 
mustered  into  service,  at  West  Chester,  on  October  7,  1861,  as 
1st  lieutenant  of  Company  I,  97th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  commanding,  and  accompanied  his 
regiment  to  Port  Royal,  and  died,  in  the  military  hospital,  at  Hilton 
Head,  November  12,  1862,  of  the  yellow  fever,  aged  twenty  years 
and  eight  months.  He  was  a  great-great-grandson  of  John  Mor 
ton,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  a  great-grand 
son  of  Sketchley  Morton,  a  major  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  He 
was  a  young  gentleman  of  first  abilities  and  of  pleasing  personal 
appearance,  very  popular  with  his  comrades  in  arms  and  beloved 
by  his  relations  and  friends  for  his  many  fine  qualities  and  amiable 
disposition." 

When  Lieut.  Morton  was  taken  ill,  Lieut.  George  W.  Williams, 
of  Company  D,  was  placed,  temporarily,  in  command  of  Company 
I,  which  he  continued  to  retain  until  the  return  of  Capt.  Hawkins, 
from  recruiting  service,  being  nearly  six  months. 

During  October,  eight  men  were  discharged  for  disability. 

On  November  1,  Privates  Abner  McCartney,  of  Company  F,  and 
Josiah  Grove  Huggins,  of  Company  E,  died  of  yellow  fever  They 
were  buried,  from  the  general  hospital,  at  the  cemetery,  and  on  the 
2d,  Corp.  James  McConnell,  Company  H,  also  died  of  the  fever. 

On  November  3,  the  Regiment  moved  inside  the  intrenchments, 
near  the  spot  where  it  first  encamped  in  1861.  The  health  of  the 
men  seemed  to  improve  after  the  removal. 

Sergt.  Elisha  Middleton,  of  Company  B,  died,  of  yellow  fever,  on 
November  4,  and  was  buried  the  same  day.  He  had  just  been  re 
commended  for  discharge  for  disability. 

On  November  14,  16  and  17,  in  conformity  with  General  Orders 
No.  134,  dated  War  Department,  October  9,  1862,  the  following 
men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were  discharged  for  the  purpose  of  re-enlist 
ing  in  Company  E,  3d  U.  S.  Artillery,  commanded  by  Capt.  John 
Hamilton,  viz.:  Privates  James  M.  Haines,  Company  A;  Joseph 
Bence,  William  Clark  and  Elliott  Hopkins,  Company  C;  William 
Smith,  Company  D;  Alfred  L.  Dutton,  Company  H;  and  Corp. 
James  W.  Phillips,  Privates  John  McCann,  Daniel  Urmy,  Amos 


1862.]  PREVALENCE  OF   YELLOW   FEVER   AT   HILTON    HEAD.  14IJ 

Y.  Harry  and  William  Wilson,  of  Company  K.  On  January  18, 
1863,  Corp.  Davis  O.  Taylor,  Company  C,  also  re-enlisted  in  the 
same  battery,  under  the  same  order.  These  men  all  served  out  the 
remainder  of  their  term  (three  years)  except  one  (Harry),  who  was 
killed  in  action,  at  Olustee,  Fla.,  in  February,  1864.  Four  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans,  and  one  (Urmy)  remained  with  the  battery. 

On  November  18,  two  recruits  arrived  for  Company  A,  sent  by 
Capt.  Guss.  On  same  day,  Company  I,  97th  P.  V.  was  relieved 
from  duty  at  Seabrook  Point  and  returned  to  camp. 

Private  George  Conway,  of  Company  E,  died,  of  yellow  fever,  on 
November  18.  There  continued  to  be  many  cases  and  frequent 
deaths  from  yellow  fever,  at  the  general  hospital,  until  the  end  of 
rovember,  when  the  disease  abated. 

The  Regiment,  until  November  20,  continued  to  perform  the  usual 
camp  and  picket  duty;  also  furnished  details  for  work  upon  the  in- 
trenchments.  Company  and  squad  drills,  at  intervals,  as  the  health 
of  the  men  admitted. 

On  November  20,  for  sanitary  considerations,  all  the  companies 
of  the  Regiment  excepting  one  were  removed  to  St.  Helena  Island, 
taking  tents  and  light  baggage,  leaving  tent  floors,  the  stables 
and  hospital  tents;  Company  C,  with  Capt.  Price  in  command, 
being  left  in  charge  of  the  camp  property  on  Hilton  Head.  The 
Regiment,  at  St.  Helena,  was  relieved  of  all  active  duty  in  order 
to  allow  the  men  opportunity  to  recuperate. 

Private  William  M.  Best,  of  Company  B,  died,  of  diptheria,  at 
general  hospital,  on  the  19th,  and  Private  David  N.  Ruth,  of  Com 
pany  C,  on  the  22d,  of  yellow  fever.  On  the  26th,  Private  William 
H.  Wilson,  of  Company  B,  died  of  remittent  fever,  in  camp,  at  St. 
Helena. 

On  the  22d,  2d  Lieuts.  Borrell,  of  Company  G,  and  Baldwin,  of 
Company  H,  having  resigned,  returned  home.  Lieuts.  Armstrong, 
of  Company  B,  and  Barber,  of  Company  K,  received  furloughs  of 
thirty  days,  and  soon  after  resigned. 

November  27  was  observed  in  the  department  as  Thanksgiving 
Day,  in  conformity  with  the  order  of  President  Lincoln.  The  offi 
cers  of  the  97th  Regiment,  together  with  most  of  those  at  the  post, 
were  invited  to  spend  the  day  at  Fort  Pulaski,  as  the  guests  of  the 
48th  New  York,  Col.  W.  B.  Barton  commanding,  which  garrisoned 
the  fort.  The  trip  by  Broad  River  was  delightful  and  the  entertain 
ment  unsurpassed.  A  dress  parade  of  the  Regiment,  with  evolutions 


144  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [December, 

of  the  battalion,  forming  column  closed  in  mass,  forming  square, 
etc.,  all  performed  with  admirable  precision,  concluded  the  proceed 
ings  of  the  day.  In  the  evening,  music  and  dancing  in  the  officers' 
quarters  in  the  casemates,  there  being  quite  a  number  of  ladies  pre 
sent  to  grace  the  occasion.  At  the  Pelican,  outside  the  fort,  a  court 
of  inquiry  was  engaged,  late  in  the  evening,  earnestly  endeavoring 
to  ascertain  the  responsibility  for  certain  casks,  in  the  possession  of 
the  host,  said  to  contain  a  perfectly  harmless  fluid,  in  bottles  not 
labeled,  and  which  could  only  be  correctly  decided  by  unharnessing 
the  corks,  a  service  which  seemed  to  find  numerous  and  ardent 


FORT    PULASK1. 


volunteers.  The  action  was  sharp,  not  short,  nor  altogether  deci 
sive.  No  lives  were  lost,  however,  and  even  the  veteran  explorer, 
Capt.  Waterbury,  of  the  55th,  survived  to  do  gallant  service  on 
many  another  day. 

During  November,  there  were  twelve  men  discharged  for  disa 
bility. 

On  December  6,  Private  William  H.  Brown,  of  Company  D, 
died,  in  general  hospital,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  and,  on  the  29th, 
Private  Thomas  M.  Lancaster,  of  same  company,  died,  of  diptheria, 
at  St.  Helena. 

On  December  13,  Lieuts.  Isaac  Smedley,  of  Company  C,  and 
Joseph  T.  Burnett,  of  Company  F,  received  furloughs  for  thirty  days 
and  returned  home.  Capts.  I.  Price,  of  Company  C,  and  Charles 
Mcllvaine,  of  Company  H,  were  detailed,  by  order  of  Gen.  A.  H. 
Terry,  upon  a  general  court-martial,  convened  at  Hilton  Head, 
pursuant  to  Special  Order  No.  70,  dated  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  De 
cember  16,  1862.  This  court,  of  which  Col.  Edwin  Metcalf,  3d 
It.  I.  Vols.,  was  president,  continued  its  sessions  through  December, 
1862,  January  and  par;  of  February,  1863,  adjourning  at  intervals, 
but  not  finally,  until  relieved  by  order  of  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  upon 
the  completion  of  the  labors  of  the  court. 


1882  ]  THE   REGIMENT   AT   ST.  HELENA   ISLAND.  145 

Christmas  Day  was  observed,  at  St.  Helena,  as  a  grand  holiday. 
Games  and  pastimes  were  improvised  for  the  amusement  of  the  men 
and  several  prizes  offered  for  feats  of  agility,  sack  races,  etc.,  the 
funds  for  which  being  raised  by  contributions  from  the  officers  of 
the  Regiment.  There  was  also  singing  by  a  glee  club  of  the  men, 
which  was  excellent,  and  a  jig  dance,  by  Corp.  Litzenburg,  of  Com 
pany  G,  which  was  admirable.  Sergt.  J.  A.  Russell,  of  Company 
H,  elicited  roars  of  laughter  by  his  negro  eccentricities.  This 
amusing. and  interesting  entertainment  concluded  with  the  perform 
ance  of  Richard  III,  followed  by  a  burlesque,  in  which  the  cha 
racters  were  admirably  sustained  by  the  entire  company  of  amateur 
performers. 

In  the  evening,  Capt,  F.  M.  Guss  arrived  with  his  recruiting 
party  and  three  recruits,  two  of  whom  were  assigned  to  Company 
K  and  one  to  Company  G,  making  nine  recruits  sent  to  the  Regi 
ment  by  the  party. 

On  December  29,  Capt,  I.  Price,  of  Company  C,  being  ill  with 
fever,  was  taken  to  the  general  hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  where  ho 
remained  until  convalescent,  January  8,  1863.  The  command  of 
his  company,  during  the  interval,  devolved  upon  1st  Lieut.  Enchus. 
At  this  time,  the  average  number  of  sick  in  the  hospital  and  on 
light  duty  was  eight  men  to  a  company.  During  December,  eight 
men  were  discharged  for  disability. 

The  Regiment  remained  at  St.  Helena  until  January  15.  when 
Companies  B,  E,  G  and  K  returned  to  camp  at  Hilton  Head. 
Companies  A,  D,  I  and  H  started  to  return  on  the  19th,  but,  owing 
to  windy  and  stormy  weather  setting  in  after  embarking,  put  into 
Seabrook  Point,  and  encamped  until  the  21st,  when  they  returned  to 
Hilton  Head.  Company  F  remained  at  St.  Helena,  until  February 
11,  to  assist  the  engineers  in  the  construction  of  a  wharf  and  some 
improvements  at  the  fort  on  Bay  Point. 

On  January  18,  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter  returned  to  Hilton  Head  and 
resumed  the  command  of  the  Department  of  South.  Appropriate 
salutes  were  fired  by  the  forts  upon  his  arrival. 

On  January  21,  Private  Patrick  Keefe,  of  Company  E,  died,  of 
congestive  fever,  at  Hilton  Head. 

On  the  22d,  a  detail  of  twenty-six  men,  of  Company  C,  under 
command  of  1st  Incut.  Eachus.  was  sent  to  work  upon  the  new 
earthwork.  Fort  Mitchel,  being  erected  near  Seabrook  Point,  taking 
tents,  etc.,  to  encamp,  remaining  upon  that  duty  about  two  weeks. 
10 


146  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

On  the  28th,  the  97th  was  inspected  and  reviewed  by  Lieut  Col. 
Oliver  I).  Green,  A.  A.  G.,  U.  S.  A  ,  Capt.  Richard  H.  Jackson,  1st 
U.  S.  Artillery,  inspector  general  of  department,  and  1st  Lieut.  John 
R.  Myrick,  3d  U.  S.  Artillery  They  also  drilled  the  Regiment  in 
various  battalion  movements  and  required  each  of  the  line  officers, 
in  turn,  to  take  command  of  the  Regiment  and  give  the  requisite 
command  to  execute  the  movement  indicated,  to  change  the  bat 
talion  from  one  given  position  to  another.  These  exercises  were  of 
great  interest  and  service. 

After  the  return  of  the  Regiment  to  Hilton  Head,  company  and 
regimental  drill  were  resumed,  including  also  the  skirmish  drill  and 
bayonet  exercise. 

On  January  31,  Company  C  was  ordered  to  Braddock's  Point,  at 
the  south  end  of  Hilton  Head  Island,  fourteen  miles  distant  from, 
head-quarters,  relieving  a  detachment  of  1st  Massachusetts  Cavalry 
on  outpost  duty.  Capt.  Price  being  still ,  engaged  as  a  member  of 
court-martial,  the  company  was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Eachus. 
The  duty  at  Braddock's  Point  required  a  detail  for  three  posts,  for 
observation,  and  to  prevent  rebel  scouting  parties  from  landing. 

The  company  was  relieved,  on  February  12,  by  Company  E,  97th 
P.  V.,  under  Lieut.  John  McNamee.  That  company  remained  on 
duty  until  February  22,  when  it  was  relieved  by  Company  B,  of 
the  97th,  which,  a  week  later,  was  relieved  by  a  detachment  of 
Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

During  January,  six  men  were  discharged  for  disability.  Toward 
the  end  of  the  month,  the  Department  of  South  was  reinforced  by 
a  division  of  troops  from  Virginia  and  a  detachment  of  the  18th 
Army  Corps,  from  'North  Carolina,  known  as  the  Expeditionary 
Forces.  The  entire  force  comprised  about  twelve  thousand  excel 
lent  troops,  under  the  command  of  Maj,  Gen.  John  G.  Foster. 

On  February  6,  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  E.  Weber,  Sergt.  Benjamin  F. 
Stackhouse  and  Private  Thomas  C.  Parsons,  of  Company  A,  and 
Privates  Alexander  Beck,  of  Company  C,  and  Abiah  C.  E.  Miller, 
of  Company  H,  were  detailed  upon  duty  in  United  States  Signal 
Corps.  Sergt.  Stackhouse  returned  to  the  Regiment,  August  16, 
1863.  Miller  returned  in  February,  1864.  The  rest  were  trans 
ferred  permanently  to  the  signal  corps.  They  were  first  stationed  at 
Hilton  Head;  afterward,  under  Lieut.  Weber,  at  Kane  island,  in 
Beaufort  River,  and  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  in  1863,  and  on  the 
James  River,  in  1864,  where  Private  Beck  had  charge  of  a  station 


1S63.]  PRACTICE    IN    DISEMBARKING    FROM    TRANSPORTS.  147 

between  James  and  Appomnttox  Rivers  and  subsequently  at  Dutch 
Gap,  Va.  Private  Thomas  J.  Miller,  of  Company  A,  Cor}).  Wil 
liam  H.  George  and  Private  John  G.  Foard,  both  of  Company  II, 
were  afterward  detailed  upon  the  same  service,  and  on  August  9, 
1863,  were  permanently  transferred  to  the  signal  corps. 

On  February  11,  the  Regiment  was  paid,  by  Maj.  J.  O.  Mason, 
paymaster  U.  S.  V.,  for  four  months,  to  include  December  31, 
1862.  On  February  7,  Private  Charles  Green,  Company  G,  died,  of 
congestive  fever,  at  Hilton  Head. 

On  February  17,  Capt.  Price,  of  Company  C,  obtained  permis 
sion,  of  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  commanding  post,  to  proceed  to  Warsaw 
Island,  Ga.,  with  a  sergeant  and  ten  men,  to  procure  the  bodies  of 
Lieut.  Gardiner  and  Private  Joseph  R.  McKinley,  of  Company  C, 
in  order  to  send  them  to  West  Chester,  for  interment  by  their 
friends.  Capt.  Price  received  an  order  from  chief  quarter-master, 
Lieut.  Col.  J.  J.  Elwell,  placing  the  steamer  Boston  at  his  service 
for  the  purpose,  on  the  return  trip  from  Ossabaw  Sound,  Ga.,  to 
which  place  it  was  to  convey  the  47th  N.  Y.  Regiment,  where 
several  days'  delay  occurred  in  landing  it. 

The  steamer  reached  Warsaw  Island,  on  the  evening  of  the  24th. 
The  detail  landed  at  once  and  disinterred  the  bodies  without 
trouble  or  delay  of  any  kind.  Within  an  hour  after,  they  had  been 
enclosed  in  metallic  coffins  and  were  ready  for  departure,  but 
Capt  Johnson  preferred  to  remain  at  anchor  until  next  morning. 
Reached  Hilton  Head  on  the  25th.  The  bodies  were  subsequently 
forwarded  to  West  Chester,  by  Adams  Express,  the  expense  being 
defrayed  from  the  fund  of  Company  C,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the 
men. 

About  this  time,  Mr.  J.  C.  Morgan,  of  Penningtonville,  Chester 
Co.,  visited  the  Regiment  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  discharge 
of,  and  conveying  to  his  home,  Private  John  C.  Brubaker,  of 
Company  A,  whose  health  was  rapidly  failing.  Mr.  Morgan  was 
welcomed  by  many  friends  in  the  Regiment,  being  the  first  visitor 
from  the  district  since  leaving  home.  He  remained  at  Hilton  Head 
until  about  March  4,  when,  his  friend  having  received  his  discharge, 
they  returned  to  Chester  County,  where  Brubaker  soon  after  died. 

In  anticipation  of  operations  being  renewed  in  Charleston  Harbor, 
Gen.  Terry  was  having  the  regiments  of  his  command  practiced  in 
disembarking  from  transports  upon  the  beach,  and  forming  line  of 
battle,  in  order  to  prepare  the  men  for  such  service. 


148  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February. 

On  February  29,  seven  companies  of  the  97th  Regiment  were 
taken  on  board  the  steamer  Delaware  for  that  purpose,  Companies 
A,  B  and  I  being  absent.  Gen.  Terry  accompanied  the  Regiment. 
The  steamer  moved  up  the  harbor  to  a  point  opposite  Elliott's  Plan 
tation,  near  Seabrook  Point.  Each  company  had  been  assigned  its 
position  on  the  steamer  from  which  to  disembark  and  a  lighter 
arranged  for  each.  Oarsmen  had  been  designated  and  everything 
in  readiness  when  the  order  was  given.  Each  company  started  at 
once  to  enter  the  lighters,  cast  off  and  made  for  the  shore,  the  con 
test  being  which  should  be  the  first  in  line.  Company  C,  having 
the  colors,  made  every  effort  to  have  them  on  the  line  first,  and 
was  successful.  There  was,  however,  but  little  difference  in  time, 
the  entire  Regiment  being  in  line,  ready  for  the  march,  in  fifteen 
minutes  after  the  order  was  given  on  board  the  steamer,  distant 
three  hundred  yards  from  shore.  Gen.  Terry  highly  complimented 
the  officers  and  men  for  the  rapidity  and  order  of  the  movement. 

During  the  latter  part  of  February  and  all  of  March,  Company 
B  was  stationed  at  Seabrook  Point.  Company  G  was  detailed  as 
provost  guard,  at  Hilton  Head,  in  January,  and  remained  on  that 
duty  until  March  30.  On  February  17,  Companies  A  and  I  were 
ordered  to  Paris  Island,  opposite  St.  Helena  Island,  to  guard  the 
residents,  mostly  contrabands,  from  annoyance,  by  parties  of  soldiers 
crossing  over  and  robbing  them  of  their  produce.  The  companies 
were  stationed  in  a  large  cotton  house,  at  one  of  the  plantations, 
having  orders  to  allow  no  soldiers  or  civilians  to  land  upon  the 
island  without  a  pass  from  Brig.  Gen.  R.  Saxon.  Those  compa 
nies  remained  on  duty,  at  Paris  Island,  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss  in  com 
mand,  until  March  31,  when  they  returned  to  the  Regiment,  at 
Hilton  Head. 

The  freedmen  of  the  island  were  then,  and  for  a  long  time,  in 
charge  of  Mrs.  F.  D.  Gage  and  her  son,  George  D.  Gage.  The 
former  has  since  expressed  their  very  great  satisfaction  on  account 
of  the  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  of  Capt.  Guss  and  his  officers 
and  the  men  of  those  companies  under  his  command,  while  on  duty 
at  that  place,  stating  that  no  cause  of  complaint  occurred  from  any 
source  while  the  island  remained  in  their  charge. 

Before  the  occupation  of  Paris  Island,  by  Capt.  Guss'  command, 
the  complaints  of  trespassing  and  injury  to  the  property  of  the  con 
trabands  were  both  numerous  and  varied,  culminating  in  the  killing 
and  dressing  for  beef,  by  foraging  soldiers,  of  a  fine  bull,  tne  last 


1863  1  DETACHMENT   ON   DUTY    AT   PARIS   ISLAND.  149 

of  his  sex  on  the  island.  At  that  time,  the  late  lamented  Lieut. 
Col.  Charles  G.  Halpine  was  assistant  adjutant  general  upon  Gen. 
Hunter's  staff,  to  whom  this  complaint  was  brought.  Within  a  few 
days  afterward,  the  appended  ballad  was  circulated,  apparently  from 
the  office  of  the  New  South,  and  was  everywhere  regarded  as  ema 
nating  from  the  pen  of  that  gifted  writer.  The  incident  thus 
graphically  portrayed  became  a  "  classic  story"  throughout  the 
camps  of  the  department.  To  omit  such  a  gem  of  poetic  lustre 
from  the  record  of  camp  experiences,  on  the  ground  of  its  subject, 
would  seem  to  be  a  needless  discrimination  against  merit,  and  wit 
so  well  directed  as  to  find  appreciation  by  the  entire  command, 
while  serving,  also,  the  important  purpose  of  causing  the  men  to  be 
thereafter  more  considerate  of  the  rights  and  property  of  the  island 
tillers. 

THE    BUTCHERED    BULL. 


A    BALLAD    OF    PAHIS    ISLAND. 


The  following  memorial  was  addressed  to  Gen.  Hunter,  on  last  Monday,  in 
regard  to  a  Bull,  killed  on  Paris  Island  by  some  straggling  soldiers  from  Gen. 
Naglee's  command.  The  name  of  the  writer  was  not  appended  to  the  copy 
which  came  into  our  possession  through  the  kindness  of  a  staff  officer  at 
head-quarters;  but  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  verses  emanate  from  a 
distinguished  source. — ED. 

Dear  General  II.,  my  heart  is  full, 
Lamenting  for  my  butchered  bull ; — 
The  only  bull  our  Islands  had, 
And  all  my  widowed  cows  are  sad. 

With  briny  tears,  and  drooping  tails, 
And  loud  boo-boos  and  bovine  wails, 
My  cows  lament  with  wifely  zeal 
Their  perished  hopes  of  future  Veal. 

Sad  is  the  wail  of  human  wife 
To  see  her  partner  snatched  from  life; 
But  he, — the  husband  of  a  score, — 
For  him  the  grief  is  more  and  more ! 

No  future  hopp  of  golden  cream  ; 
Even  milk  in  tea  becomes  a  dream: — 
Whey,  bonny-clabber,  cheese  and  curds, 
Are  now,  ah,  me!  mere  idle  words! 


150  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

The  cruel  soldiers,  fierce  and  full 
Of  reckless  wrath,  have  shot  ray  bull; 
The  stateliest  bull,. — let  scoffers  laugh, — 
That  e'er  was  "Father"  called  by  calf! 

A  bull  as  noble,  firm  and  fair 

As  that  which  aided  Jove  to  bear 

Europa  from  the  flowery  glade 

Where  she,  amidst  her  maidens,  played. 

Dear  General  H.,  accept  my  vows, 
And  oh!  take  pity  on  my  cows, — 
With  whom,  bereft  of  wifely  ties, 
All  tender  hearts  must  sympathize. 

Quick  to  Van  Vliet  your  order  send 
(By  Smith's  congenial  spirit  penned), 
And  order  him,  in  language  full, 
At  once  to  send  me  down  a  Bull: — 

If  possible,  a  youthful  beast, 
With  warm  affections  yet  unplaced, 
Who  to  my  widowed  cows  may  prove 
A  husband  of  enduring  love. 

Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  Feb.  18,  1863. 

While  stationed  at  Hilton  Head,  during  the  winter  of  1862-63, 
the  men  of  Capt.  Hamilton's  battery,  encamped  near  by,  impro 
vised  some  very  successful  and  interesting  theatrical  performances 
that  greatly  relieved  the  monotony  of  camp  life.  The  officers  and 
men  of  the  different  commands  were  frequently  invited  to  be  pre 
sent.  On  the  evening  of  Friday,  16th,  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
97th  were  especially  -invited  to  attend.  More  than  five  hundred 
of  the  Regiment  were  present  and  were  highly  gratified  with  the 
entertainment. 

During  February,  1863,  six  men  were  discharged  for  disability. 

On  March  13,  about  12.30  A.  M.,  a  rebel  force  succeeded  in 
landing  near  Spanish  Wells  and  captured  Post  No.  1,  at  the  signal 
station,  taking  prisoners  one  sergeant  and  seven  privates  of  the 
9th  Maine,  the  signal  officer  and  two  men.  The  rebels  surprised 
and  captured  their  prisoners  without  firing  a  shot  or  causing  any 
alarm  to  be  given  and,  when  ready  to  leave,  set  fire  to  the  signal 
station,  which  gave  the  first  notice  of  the  raid.  The  light  aroused 
the  reserve  at  Spanish  Wells.  In  the  attendant  confusion,  it  could 
only  be  ascertained  that  the  men  were  missing  and  the  building  on 


1863  1  RAID   OF    THE    ENEMY    AT    SPANISH    WELLS.  151 

tire.  The  other  posts  were  all  found  to  be  undisturbed.  It  was 
supposed  the  enemy  must  be  on  the  island  still,  as  the  pickets  were 
enabled  by  the  light  to  have  a  view  of  the  river  for  a  considerable 
distance  and  no  boats  had  been  seen  either  approaching  or  depart 
ing.  A  courier  was  dispatched  to  Hilton  Head,  where  an  alarm 
already  prevailed,  in  consequence  of  the  bright  light.  The  97th 
P.  V.  was  ordered  to  march  to  Spanish  Wells  at  1.30  A.  M.,  but  no 
trace  of  the  enemy  was  found  beyond  that  at  the  signal  station. 
The  Regiment  returned  to  camp  at  7  A.  M.  About  thirty  of  the 
men  having  been  detailed,  the  previous  evening,  for  duty  in  the 
morning,  they  went  to  their  post  at  8  A.  M.,  notwithstanding  their 
night  march  of  over  fourteen  miles. 

On  March  *2'2,  the  Regiment,  with  three  others,  inarched  six  miles 
to  near  Dray  ton's  Place,  and  were  there  deployed  right  and  left  to 
skirmish  the  intervening  forest  and  swamps  from  Drayton's  and 
Spanish  Wells  toward  the  interior  picket  line,  in  order  to  capture  a 
rebel  spy,  who  had  several  times  been  seen  by  the  pickets,  lurking 
in  the  woods.  The  skirmish  line  extended  nearly  three  miles  in 
length  and  was  most  carefully  conducted  through  a  dense  under 
growth  and  other  obstacles,  but  without  success.  The  peculiar  track 
of  the  man  was  discovered  in  several  places  where  he  had  been  seen 
walking  previously.  The  scout  occupied  the  entire  day  and  part  of 
the  ensuing  night,  Companies  A,  B,  G  and  I,  being  on  detached 
duty,  were  not  with  the  Regiment.  Those  companies  returned  to 
the  Regiment  on  March  31. 

During  March,  1863,  nine  men  were  discharged  for  disability. 


152  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SECOND  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CHARLESTON;  CAMPAIGN  ON  JAMES 
ISLAND;  CAPTURE  OF  MORRIS  ISLAND  AND  ASSAULT  UPON  FORT 
WAGNER;  SIEGE  AND  CAPTURE  OF  FORTS  WAGNER  AND  GREGG; 
APRIL  TO  OCTOBER,  1863. 

SECOND  advance  against  Charleston  being  determined 
upon,  Gen.  Hunter  had  completed  his  preparations  at 
Hilton  Head,  by  April  3,  1863,  and  the  expedition  was 
ready  for  departure  upon  its  destination.  Col.  Henry 
R.  Guss,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  1st  brigade  1st  division  of  the  10th  Army 
Corps,  consisting  of  the  8th  Maine,  76th  and  97th  P. 
V.,the  division  being  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen..  A.  H. 
Terry. 

Adjt.  H.  W.  Carruthers,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  now  detailed  as 
assistant  adjutant  general  upon  the  staff  of  Col.  Guss.  2d  Lieut. 
Isaac  Smedley,  of  Company  C,  was  then  detailed  acting  adjutant 
of  the  97th  P.  V. 

The  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  embarked 
at  4  P.  M.,  April  3,  on  the  steamer  Expounder.  The  transports  lay 
at  anchor  until  the  entire  force  was  ready.  Sailed  at  3  A.  M.  on 
the  5th.  During  the  morning  passed  near  the  iron  clad  fleet  at  the 
mouth  of  Edisto,  and  at  10.30  A.  M.  reached  Stono  Inlet,  anchored 
until  6  P.  M.,  then  entered  Stono  River  and  came  to  anchor  near 
Folly  Island.  Heard  three  or  four  heavy  guns  in  the  direction  of 
Charleston  Harbor.  The  transports  remained  at  anchor,  in  Stono 
River,  during  the  6th  and  7th. 

On  April  6,  1863,  in  General  Order  No.  5,  Head-Quarters,  Terry's 
Division,  10th  A.  C.,  Capt.  Mcllvaine  was  appointed  ordnance  offi 
cer  upon  the  staff  of  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  commanding  division, 
and  remained  upon  that  duty  until  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation, 
on  account  of  failing  health,  being  previously  transferred  to  the  staff 


HUNTER'S  SECOND  ADVANCE  TOWARD  CHARLESTON.  153 

of  Brig.  Gen.  Joseph  11.  Hawlcy,  who  succeeded  Gen.  Terry  in  com 
mand  of  the  division  during  the  temporary  leave  of  absence  of  the 
latter.  Company  II  was  from  this  time  under  the  command  of  2d 
Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre. 

At  '2  P.  M.,  on  the  7th,  the  iron  clad  fleet  having  crossed  the  bar, 
at  the  entrance  to  Charleston  Harbor,  commenced  the  bombardment 
of  Fort  Su inter  and  the  land  batteries  on  Morris  and  Sullivan's  Is 
lands.  Heavy  and  continued  firing  was  heard  during  the  afternoon. 

On  the  8th,  the  firing  was  not  resumed. 

On  the  9th,  the  brigade,  with  others,  landed  on  Folly  Island.  One 
hundred  rounds  of  ammunition  were  issued  to  the  men  of  the  Regi 
ment,  and  preparations  made  for  inarching  toward  Morris  Island. 
Passed  the  night  under  blankets,  having  stacked  arms  near  the 
beach.  Remained  during  the  next  day  at  the  same  place,  the  men 
being  allowed  to  build  fires,  cook  coffee,  etc.  At  5  P.  M.,  orders 
were  received  to  re-embark  on  the  transports,  the  expedition  being 
ordered  to  return  to  Hilton  Head,  the  bombardment  of  Sumter  and 
the  other  works  not  having  secured  sufficent  advantage  to  warrant 
an  assault  upon  the  rebel  position  on  Morris  Island.  Col.  John  B. 
Howell's  brigade  remained  to  occupy  Folly  Island,  and  the  100th 
X.  Y.,  Col.  Geo.  F.  B.  Dandy,  was  stationed  on  Cole  Island. 

The  transports  arrived  at  Hilton  Head  at  5  P,  M.  on  the  llth,  and 
anchored  until  the  12th,  when  the  Regiment  landed  and  occupied 
its  former  camp  ground,  where  it  remained  until  the  Kith,  doing 
picket  and  other  duty. 

On  April  13,  1863,  Capt.  Mcllvaine  was  designated,  in  General 
Order  No.  31,  Head-Quarters,  U.  S.  Forces,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  in 
accordance  with  page  3,  General  Order,  Department  of  the  South, 
to  investigate  and  decide  upon  the  complaints  of  negroes  who  had 
been  defrauded  of  their  just  earnings.  Capt.  Mcllvaine  performed 
this  service,  in  addition  to  his  staff  duties,  and  claims  to  have  taken 
the  first  negro  evidence  on  record  in  the  Department  of  the  South. 

On  April  16,  the  1st  brigade  was  again  ordered  to  Edisto  Island. 
The  97th  embarked  at  10  P.  M.,  on  board  transport  Ben  Deford, 
which  sailed  at  8.30  A.  M.  on  the  17th.  Arrived  at  Edisto  at  12 
M.  and  landed  at  4.30  P.  M.  Companies  A,  F"  and  I  went  on  picket 
immediately.  The  rest  of  the  Regiment  prepared  to  encamp  near 
the  wharf,  bringing  boards,  etc.,  from  the  old  camp  ground,  which 
was  found  just  as  it  had  been  left  nearly  a  year  before.  The  76th 
P.  V.  arrived  about  5  P.  M.  Details  were  made  to  construct  a  line 


154  HISTORY    OF    THE  NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

of  intrenchments  just  outside  the  camp  of  the  brigade,  running  from 
a  point  on  the  Edisto  on  the  right  to  a  creek  on  the  left. 

On  April  21,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  paid  by  Maj.  Julian  O.  Mason, 
paymaster  U.  S.  V.,  for  the  two  months  ending  February  28,  1863. 
On  the  same  day,  orders  were  received,  transferring  the  97th  P.  V. 
from  the  1st  brigade  and  attaching  it  to  the  3d  brigade,  1st  division, 
commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  G.  Stevenson,  who  was  also  in 
command  of  all  the  forces  on  the  Edisto,  his  brigade  being  then  at 
Seabrook  Point,  John's  Island,  across  the  Edisto  lliver.  Col.  Guss 
earnestly  endeavored  to  have  the  order  countermanded,  desiring  to 
retain  his  Regiment  in  his  own  brigade,  but  was  unsuccessful.  The 
Regiment  was,  therefore,  reluctantly  separated  from  its  beloved  com 
mander.  Companies  B,  E,  F  and  K,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Duer,  were  sent  over  to  Seabrook  Point,  on  the  21st,  to  prepare  the 
ground  for  encampment,  with  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade,  it  being 
covered  with  rubbish  and  fallen  trees,  which  had  to  be  burned. 
The  remaining  companies,  under  command  of  Maj.  Pennypacker, 
crossed  the  river  on  the  22d.  Col.  Guss  remained  in  command  of 
his  brigade,  which  was  encamped  on  Botany  Bay  Island,  adjoining 
Edisto  Island.  He  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  forces  on 
Botany  Bay,  about  May  3,  1863,  and  continued  in  command  at  that 
place  until  the  troops  advanced  toward  Charleston,  about  July  8, 
the  3d  N.  H.  being  added  to  his  brigade.  The  97th  P.  V.  en 
camped  on  the  edge  of  a  wood,  near  the  beach,  at  the  mouth  of 
Edisto  River.  The  brigade  consisted  of  the  24th  Mass,  and  the 
10th  Conn.,  both  encamped  near  the  river,  on  the  left;  the  56th 
N.  Y.  on  the  right.  -  The  97th  P.  V.  and  a  company  of  the  1st  N. 
Y.  Engineers  was  also  encamped  on  the  extreme  right.  Company 
A,  of  the  97th,  was  detailed  for  fatigue  duty,  on  the  24th,  to  work 
upon  a  battery  being  erected  on  the  left  of  the  advanced  picket 
line  at  some  distance  from  the  encampment.  One  company  was 
detailed  each  day  for  this  duty  when  the  Regiment  was  not  on  duty 
at  the  front.  The  picket  duty  was  performed,  for  a  week  at  a  time, 
by  each  regiment  in  turn,  having  two  reserve  stations,  a  little  in  the 
rear  of  the  line,  from  which  daily  details  for  picket  were  made. 

On  April  26,  Capts.  McConnell  and  Hawkins  and  recruiting 
party  rejoined  the  Regiment. 

On  the  26th,  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  being  ordered  to  Hilton  Head, 
on  court-martial  duty,  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker  then  commanded  the 
Regiment. 


1863.]  PICKET   AND   OTHER    DUTY   ON    JOHN'S   ISLAND.  155 

During  the  month  of  April,  two  men  died;  none  discharged. 

On  May  3,  Lieut.  Smedley,  of  Company  C,  having  previously  re 
signed  on  account  of  disability,  received  an  honorable  discharge, 
but  did  not  return  home  until  the  middle  of  July,  1st  Lieut.  John 
Wain  wright,  of  Company  F,  was  detailed  as  acting  adjutant  of  the 
Regiment,  on  May  8,  and  served  until  June  10. 

On  May  6,  in  compliance1  with  orders  from  head-quarters,  De 
partment  of  the  South,  furloughs  were  granted  to  one-twentieth  of 
the  men  of  each  company,  in  all  thirty-seven  men,  of  the  Regiment, 
for  thirty  days  from  date  of  sailing  from  Hilton  Head.  They  left 
on  the  l()th,  in  company  with  Adjt.  Carruthers,  A.  A.  G.,  1st 
brigade,  who  received  a  short  leave  of  absence,  and  sailed,  on  the 
12th,  from  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  Gen.  Terry,  commanding  division, 
Post  Qr.  Mr.  Jones  and  Capt.  McCoy  obtained  leave  of  absence; 
also  Mrs.  St.  John.  They  all  went  north  together.  Lieut.  McGrath 
received  a  leave  of  absence,  a  few  days  later,  and  went  home. 

On  May  7,  the  97th  P.  V.,  in  command  of  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker, 
relieved  the  24th  Mass,  on  picket,  the  reserve  stations  being  in  a 
wood  about  three  miles  from  the  camp  and  a  short  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  picket  line.  The  reserve  force  was  now  called  up  at  2 

A.  M.,  to  stand  at  arms  in  line  until  sunrise,  to  guard  against  sur 
prise  from  the  enemy,  whose  cavalry  pickets  were  directly  in  front. 

On  May  9,  Gen.  Stevenson  visited  the  line  of  pickets.  lie  com 
mended  the  officers  and  men  for  the  vigilant  and  faithful  discharge 
of  their  duties  at  the  front  and  for  the  general  order  of  the  line. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  l()th,  a  small  force  of  rebel  cavalry  ad 
vanced  a  short  distance  beyond  their  line,  apparently  with  the 
intention  of  drawing  our  fire.  They  then  fired  a  few  shots  with 
their  carbines,  but  without  effect.  The  fire  was  not  returned.  The 
reserve  was  held  in  readiness  in  case  of  an  attack  by  a  larger  force 
that  was  observed  sheltered  behind  the  houses  and  hedges  near  the 
rebel  line.  There  was,  however,  no  further  advance  made. 

The  97th  was  relieved  from  picket  at  8  A.  M.,  on  the  14th,  by  the 
56th  X.  Y.,  and  returned  to  camp. 

On  the  18th,  Companies  A,  B,  I  and  K  were  detailed  for  work 
on  the  new  battery;  on  the  19th,  Companies  C,  E,  F,  G  and  H; 
on  the  21st,  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  D;  on  the  23d,  Companies  A, 

B,  I  and  K;  on  the  26th  and  the  29th,  companies  not  designated 
were  engaged  upon  the  same  service. 

On  May  24,  Capts.  Price,  Mendenhall,  McConnell   and   Lewis 


156  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

were  ordered  to  Hilton  Head,  to  attend  court-martial  as  witnesses, 
and  were  absent  for  several  days.  A  squad  of  men  from  each  com 
pany  was  sent  to  Hilton  Head,  with  those  officers,  to  bring  up  a 
portion  of  the  camp  and  garrison  equipage  of  the  Regiment  left  at 
that  post. 

On  May  25,  Sergt.  Burton  and  Privates  A.  Chandler,  William 
Givin  and  V .  Yarnall,  of  Company  A,  were  detailed  as  a  patrol 
guard,  at  Gen.  Stevenson's  head-quarters,  to  examine  boats  of  con 
trabands  and  others  trading  in  the  river. 

On  May  25,  the  Regiment  was  engaged  on  fatigue  duty,  cutting 
timber;  also  on  the  27th  and  30th. 

During  the  month,  nine  men  were  discharged  for  disability  and 
one  man  died  of  chronic  diarrhoea.  These  names  appear  in  the 
record. 

On  June  3,  the  Regiment  was  again  on  fatigue  duty,  at  the  new 
battery,  near  the  picket  reserve. 

On  the  4th,  the  Regiment  was  again  detailed  for  picket,  for  the 
ensuing  week.  Marched  to  the  front  at  8  A.  M.,  where  the  usual 
detail  was  made  and  sent  to  relieve  the  24th  Mass. 

During  that  day,  while  some  of  the  men  not  on  duty  were  bath 
ing  in  Kiawah  Inlet,  Private  Hanford  T.  Griffith,  of  Company  H, 
was  drowned.  Every  exertion  was  made  by  his  comrades  to  rescue 
him,  unavailingly.  His  body  was  not  recovered  for  two  and  a  half 
hours. 

On  June  6,  Lieut.  Eachus,  of  Company  C,  having  been  detailed 
for  duty  in  the  commissary  department,  was  ordered  to  Beaufort. 
On  the  same  day,  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  and  Capts.  Price,  Mendenhall, 
McConnell  and  Lewis  returned  to  the  Regiment,  being  relieved 
from  attendance  upon  court-martial. 

On  the  morning  of  the  llth,  the  Regiment  was  relieved  from 
picket,  by  the  56th  N.  Y.,  and  returned  to  camp.  The  men  to 
whom  furloughs  had  been  granted,  on  May  6,  returned  from  the 
north  and  rejoined  the  Regiment  on  the  llth.  Adjt.  Carruthers, 
Qr.  Mr.  Jones  and  Lieut.  McGrath  also  returned. 

On  June  12,  Gen.  Stevenson  inspected  and  reviewed  his  brigade 
on  the  beach  opposite  the  camp. 

On  the  15th.  Maj.  Pennypacker  ordered  the  Regiment  out  for 
regimental  drill,  being  the  first  time  since  January.  It  was  con 
tinued,  whenever  practicable,  while  the  Regiment  remained  on  the 
island. 


>i;:  THE    ENEMY    ATTACK    THE    PICKET  LINES.  157 

On  Juno  16,  Gen.  Hunter  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  South,  by  Brig.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gilmore,  who  im 
mediately  commenced  preparations  for  active  operations  at  the  front, 
on  Folly  Island,  and  to  concentrate  his  disposable  forces  on  James 
Island  as  a  feint  to  those  operations. 

On  June  IS,  three  companies  of  the  l()th  Conn,  were  advanced 
outside  the  picket  lines,  as  far  as  the  old  sugar  mill,  one  and  a  half 
miles,  where  they  encountered  a  force  of  cavalry  and  infantry.  A 
brisk  skirmish  fire  ensued,  which  was  kept  up  as  the  10th  Conn, 
returned  in  order  to  the  lines.  The  rebels  followed,  opening,  also, 
an  artillery  fire  upon  the  lines.  The  reserves  having  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  manned  by  a  detachment  of  the  3d  Rhode  Island  Artillery, 
advanced  their  guns  to  the  front  and  opened  fire.  The  97th  1*. 
V.,  being  in  camp  three  miles  oft',  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  the 
picket  line.  Maj.  Pennypacker  marched  the  Regiment  'in  double 
quick  time  to  the  front.  The  men  inarched  eagerly  and  without 
straggling,  anxious  to  reach  the  line  in  time  to  take  a  hand  in  the 
firing  that  was  going  on  briskly  between  the  artillery  forces  and  in 
fantry,  which  continued  actively  on  both  sides  for  a  considerable 
time.  The  monitors  on  the  Edisto  River  moved  into  position  and 
opened  an  effective  fire  upon  the  enemy's  flank.  The  rebels,  finding 
such  an  energetic  resistance,  did  not  attempt  to  charge1  the  lines, 
and  soon  retired,  having  one  piece  of  artillery  dismounted.  The 
97th  reached  the  front  just  as  the  enemy  withdrew.  Our  loss  was 
one  man  wounded  and  two  artillery  horses  disabled. 

On  the  evening  of  the  19th,  the  movements  of  the  enemy  caused 
the  monitors  in  the  Edisto  to  open  fire,  but  no  advance  was  made. 

About  June  20,  many  of  the  men  of  the  Regiment  were  taken 
sick  with  chills  and  fever  and  diarrhoea,  which  continued  to  prevail 
for  several  weeks. 

On  the  '23d,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj.  J.  O.  Mason,  pay 
master  U.  S.  V.,  for  the  two  months  ending  April  30,  1863. 

On  the  24th,  a  general  inspection  of  the  Regiment  was  made  by 
Capt.  William  Pratt,  A.  A.  Insp.  Gen.  and  Capt.  Clark,  A.  A.  Gen. 

On  the  30th.  the  Regiment  was  mustered  for  two  months'  pay 
and  inspected  by  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  assisted  by  Maj.  Penny- 
packer  and  Adjt.  Carruthers. 

During  the  month,  three  men  were  discharged  for  disability. 

On  July  2,  the  Regiment  was  again  detailed  for  picket  for  the 
week,  and  relieved  the  24th  Mass.  Remained  upon  the  line  until 


158  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  7th,  with  no  unusual  occurrence.  Were  then  relieved  by  four 
companies  of  the  24th  Mass,  and  returned  to  camp,  where  orders 
awaited  the  Regiment  to  be  ready  to  move,  in  light  marching 
order,  at  short  notice.  The  56th  N.  Y.,  10th  Conn,  and  six  com 
panies  of  the  24th  Mass,  had  already  embarked  on  the  transports. 

Asst.  Surgeon  Morrison,  of  the  97th,  was  detailed,  July  7,  as 
medical  officer  for  the  24th  Mass.,  with  which  he  remained  on  duty 
about  one  month.  2d  Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  of  Company  H, 
received  a  short  leave  of  absence,  on  account  of  failing  health,  and 
returned  home.  Company  H  was  commanded,  during  his  absence, 
by  Lieut.  Wainwright,  of  Company  F.  Sutler  John  F.  Forrest 
also  returned  home,  for  a  short  period,  to  procure  supplies. 

The  97th  P.  V.,  remained  in  camp,  at  Seabrook,  until  the  evening 
of  the  8th,  when  the  right  companies  of  the  Regiment  went  on 
board  the  steamer  Delaware,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Duer, 
and  the  left,  on  the  Beaufort,  under  command  of  Maj.  Pennypacker, 
leaving  the  camp,  with  the  sick  and  convalescent  men  who  were 
unfit  for  duty,  in  charge  of  Capt.  McConnell,  of  Company  E.  A 
small  infantry  force  remained  to  guard  the  camp,  which  was  pro 
tected  by  the  monitors  in  the  river. 

The  troops  being  all  embarked,  the  expedition  went  to  sea  at  10 
A.  M.  on  the  9th.  At  daylight,  the  fleet  had  arrived  off  Charleston, 
Fort  Sumter  looming  up  to  view  in  the  centre,  the  Moultrie 
House,  on  Sullivan's  Island,  on  the  right,  and  the  signal  lookout  at 
Secessionville,  James  Island,  on  the  left.  At  11  A.  M.,  the  trans 
ports  of  Gen.  Terry's  division,  preceded  by  the  gunboats  Pawnee  and 
Com.  McDonough,  the  monitor  Nantucket  and  a  mortar  schooner, 
entered  the  Stono  River,  came  to  anchor  until  evening,  and  then 
proceeded  up  the  river,  the  naval  vessels  firing  a  few  shell  into  the 
woods  on  each  side  as  they  advanced.  The  transports  anchored 
opposite  Legareeville  for  the  night. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  the  104th  and  52d  P.  V., 
commanded  by  Col.  W.  W.  H.  Davis,  of  the  104th,  were  landed  on 
James  Island,  and  immediately  advanced  a  short  distance,  when  one 
company  was  thrown  forward  as  pickets,  at  the  bridge  at  the  head 
of  the  causeway,  the  landing  being  made  at  the  point  occupied  by 
Gen.  Stevens  the  preceding  year.  The  left  wing  of  the  97th  P.  V., 
having  previously  joined  the  right,  on  the  steamer  Delaware,  landed 
at  4  A.  M.  with  the  remainder  of  Gen.  Terry's  division.  After  the 
landing  had  been  effected,  the  troops  stacked  arms  and  bivouacked 


GILMORE'S  OPERATIONS  ox  FOLLY  ISLAND.  159 

until  H  A.  M.      Meanwhile,  the  line  had  been  advanced  near  half 
a  mile,  where  a  picket  line  was  established. 

The  force  left  on  Folly  Island,  in  April,  had  been  increased  by 
detachments  by  the  1st  N.  Y.  Eng.,  1st  U.  S/ Art'y,  3d  11.  I.  Art'y 
and  the  3d  N.  Y.  Art'y,  all  under  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Israel 
Yogdes,  of  Chester  County,  a  cousin  of  Capt.  William  Wayne,  of 
the  97th,  who  had  recently  been  appointed  colonel  of  the  United 
States  artillery  and  brevet  brigadier  general  in  the  United  States 
army.  This  force  had  been  engaged,  after  the  suspension  of 
operations  in  April,  in  clearing  the  impenetrable  undergrowth,  to 
afford  camping  ground,  and  in  opening  roads  for  the  movement 
of  supplies,  artillery,  etc.,  to  the  north  end  of  the  island,  and  after 
ward,  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  Gilmore,  in  secretly  erecting 
batteries  for  the  reduction  of  the  enemy's  works  on  the  lower  end 
of  Morris  Island,  which  borders  the  southern  entrance  to  Charleston 
Harbor.  These  operations  were  conducted  with  the  utmost  secrecy 
and  success,  the  enemy  being  totally  unaware  of  the  progress  of 
the  work  until  the  guns  of  Gen.  Gilmore's  batteries  opened  upon 
their  position,  at  4  A.  M.  on  July  10.  It  had  been  evident,  how 
ever,  that  some  suspicion  was  entertained  of  danger  from  this 
quarter,  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  guns  having  opened  occa 
sionally  upon  the  position,  during  the  progress  of  the  work,  which 
killed  and  wounded  several  men;  but  as  no  reply  was  made,  or 
other  indication  of  its  effect,  probably  disarmed  all  suspicion  of  there 
being  any  other  force  on  Folly  Island  than  the  usual  picket  of  ob 
servation.  When  all  was  in  readiness,  Gen.  Gilmore,  having  con 
centrated  his  forces  upon  Folly  Island,  during  the  cover  of  night, 
embarked  the  troops  designated  for  the  assault  in  lighters  that 
had  been  collected  at  a  convenient  spot  in  the  Stono  River.  The 
force  selected  was  Gen.  Strong's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  76th  P. 
V.,  b'th  and  7th  Conn.,  3d  X.  H.,  four  companies  of  the  48th  X.  Y., 
9th  Maine,  and  a  detailed  force  of  sharp-shooters.  These  embarked 
in  the  lighters,  early  in  the  evening  of  July  9,  and  about  IIP.  M. 
began  to  move  cautiously  through  the  shallow  channels  leading 
toward  Light  House  Inlet.  At  daylight,  they  lay  behind  the  point 
at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  that  passes  Secessionville.  Five  navy 
launches,  with  howitzers  on  board,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Com.  S.  B. 
Bunce,  executive  officer  of  the  Pawnee,  convoyed  the  lighters,  and 
when  the  attack  commenced  they  moved  up  Light  House  Inlet  and 
opened  upon  the  rebel  rifle  pits. 


160 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[July, 


Everything  being  in  readiness,  at  4.30  A.  M.,  on  the  10th,  Gen. 
Gilmore  opened  fire,  from  his  batteries,  upon  the  rebel  position  on 
Morris  Island,  carrying  complete  surprise  to  the  enemy  just  as  the 
reveille  was  sounded  in  their  camps.  Many  officers  and  men  were 
killed  and  wounded  while  standing  at  roll  call.  The  assaulting 
force  moved  into  line  in  Lighthouse  Creek,  the  left,  toward  Black 
Island.  A  shell  from  the  enemy  struck  one  of  the  boats,  sinking  it 
and  taking  off  the  leg  of  a  man  of  the  6th  Conn.;  he,  however, 
swam  to  another  boat,  but  died  soon  afterward  from  the  loss  of  blood. 


SIEGE    OF   CHARLESTON. 


About  6.30,  Gen.  Strong  gave  orders  to  advance  the  boats  and  land. 
A  portion  of  the  7th  Conn.,  led  by  Capt.  V.  B.  Chamberlain,  Com 
pany  A,  first  reached  the  shore,  and  with  a  shout  of  triumph  dashed 
forward  and  drove<the  enemy  from  their  rifle  pits,  suffering  a  small 
loss.  Gen.  Strong  led  his  men  gallantly  in  the  charge  upon  the  re 
maining  rifle  pits.  Then  the  whole  force  charged  upon  the  batteries 
on  the  sand  bluffs,  capturing  these  in  a  few  minutes,  then  closely 
followed  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  retreating  toward  the  north  end 
of  Morris  Island,  capturing  about  one  hundred  prisoners,  a  large 
amount  of  stores,  and  ammunition,  together  with  eight  guns,  two 
mortars,  a  large  number  of  tents,  camp  equipage,  etc.  After 
passing  beyond  the  Beacon  House,  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  guns  at 


1863.]  OPERATIONS   ON    MORRIS   AND   JAMES   ISLANDS.  161 

Forts  Wagner  and  Suintcr  prevented  any  closer  pursuit.  Possession 
of  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  island  was  thus  secured. 

Many  of  the  prisoners  captured  were  conscripts  and  substitutes, 
who  were  desirous  of  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance,  having  suffered 
untold  privations,  and  were  more  pleased  than  otherwise  with  being 
captured.  Several  confederate  flags  were  captured,  one  of  which 
had  inscribed  upon  it  "  Pocotaligo." 

Gen.  Gillmore's  loss  was  eighteen  killed,  ninety-six  wounded  and 
two  taken  prisoners,  a  total  loss  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen.  Gen. 
Beauregard  subsequently  reported  his  loss  at  three  hundred,  killed 
and  wounded,  including  sixteen  officers. 

To  resume  the  account  of  Gen.  Terry's  operations  on  James 
Island,  intended  originally  as  a  feint  to  withdraw  the  attention  of 
the  enemy  from  the  preparations  going  on  at  Folly  Island;  the  97th 
P.  V.  had  been  detailed  for  picket  soon  after  landing  and  at  8  A.  M. 
started  toward  the  front.  On  the  march,  they  received  the  news  of 
the  capture  of  the  enemy's  works,  on  Morris  Island,  by  Gen. 
Strong's  brigade,  which  had  just  been  signalled  to  Gen.  Terry  from 
the  station  on  Folly  Island,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Weber  and  the  men 
of  the  97th  upon  that  service.  It  was  welcome  news  indeed;  the  men 
cheered  lustily  and  advanced  to  the  front  in  fine  spirits.  The  picket 
line  had  been  established  near  the  one  held  last  year  by  Gen. 
Stevens'  command,  the  enemy's  pickets  being  in  sight  of  the  posi 
tion.  Heavy  firing  was  heard  during  most  of  the  day  from  the 
iron-clad  fleet,  which  had  crossed  the  bar  at  the  entrance  to  the 
harbor  and  participated  with  Gen.  Gillmore's  advance.  On  July  10, 
Col.  Guss  visited  the  Regiment  on  James  Island  and  was  gladly 
welcomed  by  all. 

In  consequence  of  a  rearrangement  of  troops,  by  Gen.  Gillmore, 
after  the  withdrawal  of  Col.  Guss'  command  from  Botany  Bay,  it 
was  determined  to  assign  him  to  the  command  of  a  brigade  to  which 
his  own  regiment  might  be  again  attached.  Pending  this  arrange 
ment,  he  was  directed  to  report  to  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  for  duty  and 
was  by  that  officer  temporarily  attached  to  his  staff  as  its  chief,  he 
being  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  strategic  position  and  condition 
of  James  Island,  from  his  regiment  having  participated  with  the 
operations  of  the  previous  year.  He  was  the  only  officer  of  his 
rank  present  who  had  the  same  experience.  When  Gen.  Terry's 
division  was  ordered  to  Morris  Island,  Col.  Guss  resumed  command 
of  his  Regiment  and  led  it  in  the  assault  upon  Fort  Wagner.  He 
11 


162  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

remained  with  it  until  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  1st  brigade, 
in  which  Gens.  Strong  and  Vogdes  had  preceded  him. 

On  the  llth,  the  picket  line  was  advanced  some  distance,  sup 
ported  by  the  104th  and  the  52d  P.  V.  and  the  56th  N.  Y.  and  54th 
Mass,  (colored)  on  the  right,  and  by  the  24th  Mass.,  10th  Conn, 
and  97th  P.  V.  on  the  left.  The  entire  force  bivouacked,  in  line  of 
battle,  in  rear  of  the  picket  line,  during  the  night  following. 
While  the  line  was  being  advanced,  the  gunboat  Pawnee  fired  a  few 
shot  at  Tower  Battery  (our  old  acquaintance),  near  Secessionville. 

Near  the  same  time,  the  steamer  General  Hunter  was  fired  into, 
from  John's  Island,  by  rebel  sharp-shooters  The  Commodore  Mc- 
Donough  threw  some  shell  in  return,  which  dispersed  the  rebels. 
The  troops  continued  to  bivouac,  in  line  of  battle,  near  the  picket 
line,  until  July  12,  when  they  encamped  in  a  field  half  a  mile  from 
the  landing,  the  left  of  the  camp  flanked  by  an  impassable  swamp. 
The  men  being  without  tents  had  only  the  shelter  of  gum  blankets. 

On  the  12th,  heavy  firing  was  kept  up  during  the  day  in  Charles 
ton  Harbor.  The  gunboats  in  Stono  River  shelled  rebel  scouting 
parties  on  John's  Island.  A  portion  of  the  54th  Mass,  was  sent  to 
Legareeville,  on  picket. 

At  5  P.  M.,  on  the  13th,  Companies  B,  C,  G,  H  and  I  were  de 
tailed  for  picket  and  occupied  the  centre  of  the  line.  Remained 
without  particular  incident,  until  5  P.  M.,  on  the  14th,  when  these 
companies  were  relieved  by  the  other  companies  of  the  Regiment. 
They  continued  on  duty  until  the  evening  of  the  15th,  when  they 
were  relieved  by  the  10th  Conn.  The  54th  Mass,  occupied  the  right 
of  the  picket  line  at  that  time. 

At  4  A.  M.,  on  July  16,  the  rebels  attacked  the  picket  line  with 
great  vigor.  The  10th  Conn,  and  54th  Mass,  made  a  determined 
resistance,  but,  the  rebels  advancing  in  force,  they  were  compelled 
to  retire,  disputing  every  inch  of  ground.  Many  of  the  54th  Mass, 
had  remained  at  their  posts  until  overpowered  and  slain,  and  were 
then  horribly  mutilated  where  they  fell. 

A  rebel  battery  of  six  pieces,  twelve-pounders,  had  been  ad 
vanced,  on  the  left,  to  a  position  in  rear  of  the  buildings  on  Grim- 
ball's  Plantation,  close  under  the  guns  of  the  Pawnee,  and  opened 
fire  upon  her  with  great  energy,  firing  fifty-two  shot  before  she 
could  return  the  fire.  The  attack  being  made  just  at  the  turn  of 
the  tide,  it  was  a  considerable  time  before  she  could  be  got  in  posi 
tion  to  turn  her  guns  upon  the  enemy,  which,  however,  was  at 


1S63.1  ACTION    AT   STEVENS'  LANDING,  JAMES   ISLAND.  163 

length  accomplished,  when  a  lew  well-directed  shot  sent  them  vapidly 
to  a  more  safe  place  with  their  battery.  The  rebels,  in  the  mean 
time,  had  advanced  in  force  upon  Gen.  Terry's  position.  Gen. 
Stevenson's  brigade  occupied  the  right  of  the  front  line  and  Col. 
Shaw's  54th  Mass,  the  left.  Col.  W.  W.  H.  Davis'  brigade,  with 
the  2d  S.  C.,  Col.  Montgomery,  held  the  second  line,  one  hun 
dred  yards  in  rear  of  the  first.  Thus  disposed,  Gen.  Terry's  forces 
awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  whose  object,  evidently,  was 
to  capture  the  entire  force  or  to  drive  it  from  the  island,  no  doubt 
with  the  belief  that  Gen.  Terry  had  no  artillery  landed.  Prisoners, 
subsequently  captured,  reported  that  intelligence  to  that  effect  had 
been  given  the  enemy  by  a  deserter  from  our  lines,  who  had  been 
held  subject  to  be  shot  if  his  information  should  prove  to  be  in 
correct.  The  enemy  rapidly  pushed  forward  a  battery  of  twelve- 
pounders,  on  the  right,  to  within  a  short  distance  of  our  lines,  open 
ing  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  tents  and  ambulances  in  the  rear,  in 
view  from  their  position.  The  men,  having  been  ordered  to  lie 
down,  were  not  exposed  to  view;  they  thus  escaped  the  severity  of 
the  fire  directed  just  over  them.  One  of  the  sick  in  the  hospital 
was  mortally  wounded  by  the  first  fire.  One  of  the  Massachusetts 
cavalrymen  was  also  wounded  and  his  horse  killed.  The  main  body 
of  the  enemy  had  approached,  under  cover  of  the  irregularity  of  the 
ground,  very  near  to  our  position  and  began  deploying  their  lines 
across  the  open  field  to  cover  our  front. 

After  the  artillery  of  the  enemy  had  fired  five  shots,  the  guns  of 
the  1st  Conn.  Art'y,  Capt.  Rockwell,  opened  in  reply,  dismounting, 
at  the  first  fire,  two  of  the  enemy's  guns,  killing  several  men  and 
three  of  their  horses.  Their  guns  only  fired  two  shot  afterward.  A 
well-directed  artillery  fire  was  then  poured  into  the  ranks  of  the 
infantry  advancing  in  front,  Terry's  infantry  being  still  concealed 
from  their  view  by  the  rise  in  the  ground.  The  enemy's  advance 
was  suddenly  brought  to  a  halt  and  the  command,  "About  face;  in 
retreat,  march,"  was  given,  the  orders  being  distinctly  heard.  Our 
men,  impatiently  expecting  the  order  to  open  fire  upon  the  ad 
vancing  foe,  were  now  more  eager  to  be  up  and  after  them;  but 
Gen.  Terry,  being  in  communication,  by  signal  telegraph,  with  Gen. 
Gillmore,  on  Folly  Island,  had  been  ordered  to  await  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  upon  his  position,  and  to  give  battle  on  that  ground 
if  they  should  venture  close  enough,  but  in  no  event  to  follow,  or 
risk  a  general  engagement  outside  his  position,  the  enemy  being  in 


164  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

greatly  superior  force,  and  capable  of  maintaining  their  ground  if 
followed  to  their  own  well-intrenched  position.  The  force  numbered 
about  four  thousand  men,  including  a  brigade  of  Stonewall  Jack 
son's  corps;  also  some  Georgia  and  North  Carolina  regiments,  all 
under  command  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Shepley.  Gen.  Terry  was  also 
aware  that  the  movement  upon  James  Island  was  intended  to 
occupy  the  attention  of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible  while  more 
important  operations  were  directed  against  Morris  Island. 

The  artillery  fire  continued  to  hasten  the  retreat  of  the  enemy. 
A  skirmish  line  was  sent  forward  to  follow  them  as  far  as  the  line 
formerly  occupied.  This  force  captured  eight  or  ten  stragglers  and 
brought  in  the  killed  and  wounded.  The  picket  line  was  imme 
diately  re-established. 

Company  B,  of  the  97th,  under  1st  Lieut.  Savage,  was  ordered 
out  as  a  part  of  the  skirmish  ibrce.  Sergt.  Nichols,  of  that  com 
pany,  captured  a  sergeant  of  the  19th  Ga.,  and  handed  him  over  to 
Gen.  Terry.  The  enemy  carried  off  many  of  their  wounded  and  a 
few  of  their  killed.  The  54th  Mass,  suffered  most  heavily,  as  they 
occupied  the  part  of  the  line  most  vigorously  attacked.  Our  entire 
loss  was  eight  killed  and  twenty-four  wounded.  The  enemy's  must 
have  been  very  much  greater.  A  memorandum  of  the  loss  in  two 
North  Carolina  regiments  in  this  action,  afterward  found  in  the 
pocket  of  a  rebel  soldier,  captured  on  Morris  Island,  stated  that  it 
amounted  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five. 

On  the  evening  of  July  16,  Gen.  Terry  received  orders  to  eva 
cuate  James  Island.  The  troops  embarked  on  transports  during 
the  night.  Company  F,  being  detailed  for  duty,  at  the  landing, 
was  engaged  during  the  entire  night  loading  heavy  ordnance  and 
ordnance  stores  of  the  battery,  having  to  work  in  mud  and  water 
nearly  waist  deep,  a  service  not  relished  by  the  men,  who  could  not 
well  understand  why  infantry  troops  should  be  compelled  to  work 
all  night  in  the  mud  and  wet,  handling  the  ordnance  stores  for 
artillerymen,  who  marched  past  them,  while  at  work,  dry  shod,  on 
pontoons,  to  the  transports.  Any  little  cursing  that  was  done  just 
then  by  Company  F  was  regarded  as  quite  natural  if  not  excusable. 

The  97th  P.  V.,  being  left  to  cover  the  embarkation,  was  the  last 
regiment  to  leave  the  island,  at  3  A.  M.,  on  the  17th,  going  on 
board  the  transport  Island  City.  Then  steamed  down  the  river  to 
Folly  Island.  Landed  at  sunrise  and  stacked  arms  near  the  beach, 
wrhere  the  men  were  allowed  to  rest  during  the  day,  under  shelter 


1863-]  JAMES   ISLAND    EVACUATED.       MORRIS    ISLAND.  165 

of  their  blankets.  At  dark,  started  on  the  march  up  the  beach 
toward  Morris  Island.  Reached  Lighthouse  Inlet,  at  midnight, 
naving  marched  about  seven  miles.  At  this  point,  Gen.  Terry  re 
ceived  orders  to  detach  from  his  command  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade, 
Col.  Shaw's  54th  Mass,  and  the  2d  S.  C.,  with  orders  to  report  to 
Gen.  Strong,  on  Morris  Island,  and  to  retain  Col.  W.  W.  H.  Davis' 
brigade,  with  himself  in  command  of  the  forces,  on  Folly  Island. 
This  was,  of  course,  a  great  disappointment  to  both  Gen.  Terry  and 
his  troops,  who  desired  to  have  him  continue  in  command  on  Morris 
Island.  In  the  endeavor  to  secure  this,  Gen.  Terry  went  over  to 
see  if  Gen.  Gillmore  would  not  permit  him  to  lead  his  division  in 
the  expected  assault  upon  Fort  Wagner.  With  what  success  was 
not  then  ascertained,  but  within  the  next  two  days  the  fortunes  of 
war  had  placed  Gen.  Terry  in  a  more  important  command  than  he 
had  yet  held,  being  the  second  in  the  department. 

When  the  troops  which  were  to  cross  to  Morris  Island  reached 
Lighthouse  Inlet,  lighters  were  found  in  readiness  for  each  company, 
into  which  they  entered  and  rowed  across  in  the  darkness  and  rain, 
the  landing  spot  being  indicated  by  a  light  stationed  on  the  oppo 
site  side.  After  all  the  companies  had  landed,  the  Regiment  was 
formed  in  line  and  marched,  during  a  drenching  rain,  about  half  a 
mile  and  halted  among  the  sand  hills.  Arms  were  then  stacked, 
and  the  men  ordered  to  lie  down  for  the  night  where  they  halted. 
Rubber  blankets  were  the  only  shelter.  The  pouring  rain  had 
already  soaked  every  portion  of  the  clothing,  so  all  lay  down  with 
out  any  effort  to  find  comfort  or  shelter  and,  being  very  tired,  were 
soon  silent  in  sound  sleep.  Such  rest  as  could  be  found  was  en 
tirely  undisturbed  by  complaining  that  could  bring  no  relief  to 
discomfort. 

The  morning  of  the  18th  found  the  men  wet,  hungry  and  but 
little  rested  after  the  night's  march,  but  the  cooks  soon  had  the 
coffee  boilers  steaming,  and  the  clouds  breaking  away,  the  sun  dried 
their  wet  clothes,  while  draughts  of  the  invigorating  Mocha  put 
new  life  and  spirits  into  the  tired  bodies  of  the  men,  who  leisurely 
began  the  next  work  after  the  meal,  which  a  soldier  always  looks 
to,  cleaning  his  gun  and  accoutrements.  These  were  required  to  be 
put  in  order  preparatory  to  a  general  review  that  was  ordered  for 
5  P.  M.,  a  significant  proceeding  which  all  knew  meant  business 
soon  after. 

When  Gen.  Strong's  forces  had  driven  the  enemy  from  the  lower 


166  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

end  of  Morris  Island,  on  the  10th,  it  had  been  intended  to  follow 
up  his  success  by  an  immediate  assault  upon  Fort  Wagner,  then  held 
by  a  strong  garrison,  under  Col.  Lawrence  M.  Keitt,  but  the  men  were 
found  to  have  become  too  much  exhausted  by  their  morning's  work 
and  the  excessive  heat  of  the  day.  The  attack  was,  therefore,  post 
poned  until  the  next  day  and  the  troops  allowed  to  rest.  Some  light 
defensive  lines  were  thrown  up  across  the  narrow  strip  of  land  to 
prevent  an  assault  from  the  enemy. 

On  the  llth,  soon  after  midnight,  Gen.  Strong  advanced  his 
forces  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  fort  and,  having  selected  the 
7th  Conn.,  76th  P.  V.  and  the  9th  Maine  to  lead  the  assault  in  the 
order  named,  held  his  remaining  force  in  reserve.  The  enemy's 
pickets  were  encountered  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  work 
and  driven  to  the  shelter  of  the  fort.  The  7th  Conn.,  led  by  Lieut. 
Col.  D.  C.  Rodman,  then  advanced  with  a  loud  cheer  under  a  severe 
fire  of  grape  and  canister  and,  dashing  forward,  reached  the  crest  of 
the  works. 

The  76th  P.  V.,  at  the  same  time,  charged  upon  another  angle  of 
the  work,  led  by  Maj.  John  W.  Hicks,  with  great  gallantry  in  the 
face  of  a  withering  fire.  Maj.  Hicks  and  many  other  officers  and 
men  were  wounded,  but  the  regiment  pressed  forward,  its  ranks 
fearfully  thinned  as  it  ascended  the  glacis,  the  moat  was  crossed 
and  the  parapet  reached  by  many  of  the  brave  fellows  who  were 
there  swept  down  just  upon  the  threshold  of  success.  The  9th 
Maine  followed  bravely  through  the  fearful  fire  until  its  ranks  were 

J 

mowed  down  by  the  enemy's  guns,  then  halted  and  again  advanced, 
gallantly  trying  to  face  the  ordeal,  but  the  destructive  fire  from  the 
parapet  swept  down  the  advancing  ranks  and  drove  back  those  who 
had  reached  the  crest,  but  were  unable  to  enter.  The  order  to 
retreat  being  given,  the  destruction  became  even  more  fatal.  Lieut. 
Col.  Rodman  was  severely  wounded,  his  leg  being  shattered.  He 
was  almost  the  only  one  brought  off  from  the  slopes  of  the  work. 
The  76th  P.  V.  left  upon  the  glacis  and  in  the  moat  one  hundred 
and  thirty  men  and  five  officers,  of  about  three  hundred  and  fifty 
who  were  engaged  in  the  action.  The  7th  Conn,  lost  one  hundred 
and  three,  killed,  wounded  and  missing;  the  9th  Maine,  thirty-four, 
and  the  3d  N.  H.  one  killed  and  one  wounded. 

After  this  unsuccessful  effort,  it  was  evident  that  a  larger  force 
would  be  requisite  to  carry  Fort  Wagner  by  assault,  or  its  reduc 
tion  accomplished  by  regular  siege.  The  necessary  preparations  to 


1888.]          MORRIS   ISLAND.      FIRST    ASSAULT   ON   FORT   WAGNER.  167 

begin  the  work  were  immediately  entered  upon  and  operations  com 
menced  on  the  113th. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the  enemy  made  a  sortie  from 
Fort  Wagner  upon  Gen.  Strong's  position,  but  his  pickets  were  too 
well  upon  the  alert  to  be  surprised. 
After  a   sharp  contest,   the   enemy 
was  driven  back.    -Our  loss  was  one 
killed,  two  wounded  and  one  taken 
prisoner. 

The  first  line,  located  near  the 
Beacon  House,  at  a  distance  of 
seventeen  hundred  yards  from  Fort 
Wagner,  was  completed  by  the  17th, 
notwithstanding  the  enemy's  vigor 
ous  fire  upon  the  men  at  work  in  BEACON  HOUSE. 
the  trenches. 

The  guns  and  mortars  were  removed  from  the  batteries  on  Folly 
Island,  brought  forward  and  mounted  in  the  works  upon  Morris 
Island.  By  the  morning  of  the  18th,  4hese  were  placed  in  position 
in  the  following  order;  on  the  right,  four  three-inch  rifled  pieces; 
next,  six  ten-pounder  Parrotts;  next  to  these,  two  thirty-pounder 
Parrotts  and  three  eight-inch  siege  mortars  in  place  on  the  left  of 
the  parallel.  Besides  these  there  had  been  erected  what  were  known 
as  the  Left  Batteries,  in  which  were  mounted  four  twenty-pounder 
Parrotts,  four  eight-inch  mortars  and  three  thirty-pounder  Parrotts. 
This  was  the  situation  upon  the  morning  after  Gen.  Stevenson's 
brigade  landed  on  Morris  Island. 

Gen.  Gillmore  now  determined  upon  making  another  effort  to 
carry  Fort  Wagner  by  a  more  formidable  force  thrown  against  it, 
after  a  bombardment  should  have  silenced  its  guns,  if  possible,  or 
weakened  its  defensive  force.  Accordingly,  a  most  effective  fire  was 
concentrated  upon  it  by  the  land  batteries  and  by  the  naval  fleet  in 
the  harbor,  consisting  of  the  formidable  New  Ironsides,  monitors 
Weehawken,  Patapsco,  Nahant  and  Catskill  and  gunboat  Paul 
Jones,  which  ran  within  close  range  of  the  work  and  opened  an 
incessant  and  brilliant  fire.  The  land  batteries  also  made  most  ex 
cellent  work,  their  firing  being  quite  accurate.  These  were  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Col.  Richard  H.  Jackson,  captain  1st  U.  S.  Art'y, 
on  the  right,  and  Maj.  James  E.  Bailey,  3d  R.  I.  Art'y,  on  the  left. 
The  enemy  replied  from  Fort  Wagner  occasionally,  but  more  vigor- 


168 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[July, 


ously  from  Forts  Surnter,  Johnson,  Moultrie,  Battery  Gregg  and 
Battery  Bee.  The  rebel  flag  on  Fort  Wagner  was  struck  by  a  shell 
which  cut  the  staff  and  halliards  away.  A  regimental  flag  was  soon 
put  up  on  the  parapet  and  afterward  a  confederate  flag  near  it. 
By  4  P.  M.,  there  was  no  further  response  from  Fort  Wagner,  the 
concentrated  fire  having  driven  the  men  from  their  guns  to  the 
shelter  of  their  bombproofs. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  5  P.  M.,  Gen.  Gillmore  reviewed  all  the 
troops  not  on  duty  at  the  front,  on  the  beach  near  his  head 
quarters,  in  sight  of  Forts  Sumter  and  Moultrie.  A  few  shell  were 
thrown  from  the  latter  that  did  not  quite  reach  the  position.  In 


NEW   IRONSIDES   AND   MONITORS. 


half  an  hour  after  the  review  was  over,  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade 
and  Col.  Shaw's  54th  Mass.,  having  been  ordered  to  prepare  to  join 
the  forces  at  the  front,  to  participate  in  the  assault,  were  on  the 
march  toward  Fort  Wagner.  Meanwhile,  the  incessant  firing  upon 
both  sides,  with  the  shot  and  shell  crashing  overhead,  or  whizzing 
in  close  proximity  to  the  advancing  ranks,  was  an  experience  that 
told  of  active  service  close  at  hand.  The  men  marched  steadily 
and  silently  forward,  still  nearer  to  the  enemy's  works  as  the 
gathering  darkness,  obscuring  the  view,  caused  the  fire  to  be  dis 
continued.  Gen.  Strong's  brigade  had,  during  the  day,  occupied  a 
position  near  the  batteries  on  the  left.  He  now  moved  up  near  to 
an  old  house  at  the  right  batteries.  Col.  Putnam's  brigade  had 
remained  during  the  day  at  the  bluffs,  at  the  right  of  the  Beacon 
House.  When  Gen.  Strong  moved  forward  he  advanced  to  his 
support,  both  forces  being  now  deployed  across  the  open  land,  ad- 


18«3.]         MORRIS   ISLAND.      SECOND   ASSAULT   ON    FORT   WAGNER.  169 

vancing  within  six  hundred  yards  of  Fort  Wagner.  Gen.  Steven 
son's  brigade  had,  at  this  time,  reached  a  position  to  the  left  of  the 
Beacon  House.  He  was  then  directed  to  move  up  the  beach  to  a 
position  near  the  old  house.  The  entire  force  advanced  to  the 
designated  places  in  steady  tramp,  while  the  thoughts  of  all  were 
impressively  occupied  with  a  feeling  of  the  desperate  encounter  in 
which  they  were  soon  to  participate.  Some  must  fall;  but  who 
could  tell  what  home  was  destined  to  receive  the  fatal  message  that 
their  loved  one  had  fallen  amid  the  darkness  and  the  conflict  that 
was  now  so  near  at  hand.  But  all  pressed  forward  where  duty 
called,  hoping  and  trusting. 

Heavy  black  clouds  overspread  the  sky,  rendering  the  darkness 
more  complete.  The  54th  Mass,  had  been  designated  to  lead  the 
assault.  When  moving  from  their  camp,  after  the  review,  they 
were  cheered  by  all  the  troops  as  they  passed  to  the  right  of  the 
column.  The  enemy  had  opened  fire  from  the  time  the  old  house 
was  reached  by  Gen.  Strong's  troops.  This  increased  in  intensity  as 
the  other  forces  advanced.  The  guns  of  Fort  Wagner  swept  the 
beach  while  the  barbette  guns  of  Fort  Sumtcr  and  Cummings' 
Point  enfiladed  the  flank.  The  air  was  filled  with  deadly  missiles 
from  every  quarter,  yet  the  men  dashed  bravely  on  at  double  quick 
over  the  last  six  hundred  yards,  Col.  Shaw  leading  the  24th  Mass., 
followed  by  Strong's  and  Putman's  brigades,  in  the  order  named. 
Gen.  Seymour  being  in  command  of  the  assault. 

As  the  troops  pressed  forward,  the  clear  commands  of  the 
officers  were  heard,  amid  the  crash  of  battle,  cheering  the  men, 
who  responded  as  they  sprang  on,  over  the  ditches  and  up 
the  slopes,  in  successive  regimental  lines.  The  ranks  of  the 
foremost  were  shattered  and  broken  by  the  incessant  fire.  The 
ground  was  cumbered  by  the  wounded  and  dying,  over  whose 
bodies  the  rear  regiments  had  to  climb  to  reach  the  top,  where  they 
encountered  the  bayonets  of  the  determined  foe,  yet  they  pressed 
on.  Many  gained  the  crest  and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  guns 
upon  the  curtain  of  the  works.  A  few  reached  that  part  of  the 
parapet  from  which  they  could  fire  upon  the  entrances  to  the 
bombproof  in  view.  But  the  enemy  from  behind  the  traverses 
and  bastions  kept  up  such  a  terrible  and  incessant  fire  that 
our  troops  suffered  intensely,  being  unable  in  the  darkness  to 
overcome  the  advantage  of  the  enemy's  more  accurate  knowledge 
of  the  position,  which  resulted  in  deciding  the  contest  against  the 


170  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  \_3n\y, 

utmost  valor  and  unflinching  perseverance  of  the  brave  and  gallant 
men,  who  had  reached  the  perilous  crest  of  the  work  only  to  meet 
the  death-dealing  storm  of  shot,  shell  and  hand-grenades  that  were 
hurled  upon  them  from  the  greatly  superior  numbers  within  the 
shelter  of  the  works.  To  particularize  the  deeds  of  valor  of  the 
different  brigades  and  regiments  would  be  useless  when  all  did  so 
well  and  bravely.  The  6th  Conn.,  led  by  its  gallant  colonel,  John 
L.  Chatfield,  charged  twice  over  a  traverse  to  capture  a  gun  that 
was  sweeping  grape  and  canister  through  the  ranks.  But  he  fell, 
severely  wounded,  and  his  men  were  at  last  compelled  to  fall  back 
to  the  shelter  of  the  slope.  Ccl.  Chatfield  lay  for  two  hours  where 
he  fell.  He  was  assisted  by  a  private  of  another  regiment,  also 
wounded,  who  scraped  a  trench  beside  the  colonel's  body,  in  which 
he  found  shelter  from  the  enemy's  fire,  and  afterward  helped  him 
to  a  place  of  safety.  The  colonel,  however,  died  of  his  wounds,  a 
few  weeks  later,  at  his  home  in  Connecticut. 

The  54th  Mass,  at  the  outset  made  a  brave  and  desperate  charge, 
led  by  its  intrepid  commander,  Col.  Robert  G.  Shaw.  But  the 
enemy,  recognizing  the  presence  of  colored  troops,  concentrated  a 
storm  of  grape,  canister  and  musketry  that  mowed  them  down  with 
fearful  slaughter.  They  then  made  a  rush  to  capture  the  colors  of 
the  54th.  The  color  sergeant,  Henry  W.  Carney,  had  been  shot 
dead  in  the  charge,  but  another  had  grasped  them  and  carried  them 
to  the  front.  In  the  desperate  encounter  that  ensued  for  possession 
of  the  colors,  by  the  enemy,  the  men  of  the  54th  fought  desperately. 
The  bayonets,  in  a  hand-to-hand  struggle,  clashed  and  gleamed  in 
the  flashes  of  light,  while  the  flags  were  alternately  siezed  by  each 
party  to  be  retaken  in  turn.  The  54th  was  finally  overcome  and 
driven  back  by  the  superior  numbers  that  confronted  the  remnant. 
They  brought  off  with  them  one  tattered  flag  and  the  staff  of  the 
other,  from  which  every  shred  of  the  flag  had  been  torn  in  the  fear 
ful  strife. 

Col.  Shaw  was  buried  by  the  enemy,  where  he  fell,  with  twenty- 
two  of  his  brave  men  who  were  found  fallen  at  his  side. 

For  nearly  half  an  hour  the  1st  brigade  continued  a  hand-to- 
hand  fight  with  the  enemy.  Nearly  every  commissioned  officer  was 
shot  down.  When  the  hopelessness  of  longer  continuance  was  ap 
parent,  Maj.  Josiah  G.  Plympton,  of  the  3d  N.  H.,  brought  off  the 
remnant  of  Gen.  Strong's  brigade. 

Col.  Putnam's  brigade  had  been  advanced  closely  in  support  of 


1863. J        MORRIS   ISLAND.      SECOND   ASSAULT   ON   FORT   WAGNER.  171 

Gen.  Strong's  movements.  The  officers  met  and  endeavored  to  rally 
the  straggling  forces  that  were  in  retreat  from  the  front.  Finally, 
Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  C.  Abbott,  of  the  7th  N.  H.,  massed  his  men 
with  a  portion  of  the  100th  N.  Y.,  and  advanced  to  the  parapet  of 
the  fort,  while  a  part  of  Gen.  Strong's  brigade  still  held  their  po 
sition  upon  that  part  of  the  work. 

Col.  Putnam  had  also  advanced  and  occupied  a  part  of  the 
work  from  which  Gen.  Strong's  forces  had  retired.  lie  was  here 
soon  joined  by  Gen.  Strong,  and,  after  a  short  conference,  the 
latter  devoted  his  attention  to  rallying  some  stragglers  upon  the 
slopes,  and  to  direct  the  troops  coming  up  against  a  point  from 
which  the  enemy  was  keeping  up  a  concentrated  fire  to  prevent 
reinforcements  from  reaching  the  slopes.  While  thus  engaged,  Gen. 
Strong  was  struck  by  a  discharge  from  a  howitzer,  severely  wound 
ing  him  in  the  thigh.  He  was  immediately  borne  from  the  field 
and  his  wound  dressed  at  the  sanitary  commission.  He  was  subse 
quently  taken  to  Hilton  Head  and  to  New  York,  where  he  died 
from  lockjaw,  caused  by  his  wound,  on  July  30,  1863. 

Gen.  Seymour  was  painfully  wounded  while  hurrying  up  re 
inforcements,  by  a  grape  shot  striking  his  foot.  One  of  his  aids, 
Lieut.  S.  S.  Stevens,  6th  Conn.,  was  killed  at  the  same  time. 

The  remnant  of  Gen.  Strong's  and  Col.  Putnam's  brigades,  upon 
the  parapet  and  slopes  of  the  fort,  had  dwindled  down  to  a  scattered 
few,  who  found  but  slight  shelter  from  the  incessant  fire  directed 
upon  them.  Originally  intended  as  a  support,  Col.  Putnam's  bri 
gade  found  but  few  at  the  front  to  support,  as  most  of  the  1st 
brigade  had  been  killed,  wounded  or  captured.  The  situation  was 
most  critical:  to  retreat  now  would  be  equally  fatal  as  to  remain 
before  the  concentrated  storm  of  grape,  canister,  and  the  fire  of  over 
one  thousand  rebel  rifles  from  behind  the  traverses  and  bastions  of 
the  work. 

The  gallant  Col.  Putnam  was,  however,  undaunted.  He  en 
couraged  his  men  to  hold  on  until  reinforcements  should  arrive. 
His  last  words  were:  "Hold  on  for  a  minute,  brave  men.  Our  re 
inforcements  are  coming!"  As  he  spoke,  he  was  struck  in  the  fore 
head  by  a  Minic  ball,  and  fell  dead.  The  loss  of  such  a  com 
mander  at  such  a  time  was  disastrous  in  the  extreme.  The  men 
were  disheartened.  The  dangers  they  had  encountered  demoralized 
them  less  than  the  loss  of  almost  all  their  brave  leaders.  To  return 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  now  seemed  to  invite  the  concentrated  fire 


172  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  their  concealed  positions  where  they  lay  watching  for  the 
target  of  flashing  muskets.  In  addition  to  this,  the  troops  upon  the 
slopes  of  the  work  had,  from  the  first  moment  of  assault,  suffered 
severely  from  the  fire  of  the  men  in  the  rear,  directed  upon  the  rebel 
works.  Never  was  the  advantage  of  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne's  order 
to  the  storming  party  at  Stony  Point,  to  "Empty  your  cartridge 
boxes  and  trust  to  your  bayonets,"  more  apparent  than  then.  Had 
the  order  been  now  repeated,  the  loss  and  demoralization  of  our 
forces  would  have  been  greatly  lessened  and  the  chances  of  success 
largely  increased. 

The  shattered  remnant  of  Col.  Putnam's  command,  now  impressed 
with  the  hopelessness  of  longer  continuance  of  the  effort,  gathered 
up  some  of  their  wounded,  and  reluctantly  retired  at  the  moment 
that  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade  was  being  hastened  forward,  to  the 
support  of  those  upon  the  slopes  of  the  work,  by  Col.  John  W. 
Turner,  assistant  adjutant  general  and  chief  of  staff  to  Gen.  Gill- 
more.  But  the  order  to  move  forward  came  too  late  to  be  of  avail, 

save  to  ensure  the  sacrifice 
°f  a  third  brigade  in  detail, 
as  nothing  better  could  be 


hoped  for  after  the  unsuc 
cessful  efforts  of  two  of  the 
bravest  and  best  in  the  ser- 
FORT  WAGNER  AT  POINT  OP  ASSAULT.  vice  that  had  been  so  gal 

lantly,  yet  unavailingly,  led 
against  a  work  so  formidable  and  so  desperately  defended. 

Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade  had  been  held  in  reserve  to  support  the 
movement,  if  successful,  or  to  cover  the  retreat  if  it  should  prove 
otherwise.  The  latter  alternative  now  devolved  upon  the  brigade. 

The  duty  of  gathering  up  and  covering  the  shattered  columns  of 
the  division,  under  the  guns  of  the  enemy  and  the  galling  fire  of 
musketry,  shot  and  shell  from  the  impregnable  fortress,  was  a  work 
scarcely  less  hazardous  than  a  continuance  of  the  assault.  During 
the  attack,  the  brigade  had  occupied  a  position  near  the  outer  line 
of  defence,  awaiting  Gen.  Stevenson's  orders,  within  range  of  the 
fire  of  Forts  Sumter  and  Johnson,  the  shells  from  which  fell  near 
and  exploded  over  the  brigade  but  did  little  injury.  An  aid  of  Gen. 
Seymour  came  to  Col.  Guss,  with  orders  for  the  97th  P.  V.  to  ad 
vance,  stating  that  Strong's  and  Putman's  forces  had  entered  Fort 
Wagner  and  were  engaged  in  a  hand-to-hand  conflict  with  the 


1868.]        MORRIS   ISLAND.      SECOND    ASSAULT   ON   FORT   WAGNER.  173 

enemy  and  needed  immediate  help  to  secure  possession.  The  order 
claimed  to  have  the  sanction  of  Gen.  Stevenson,  but  owing  to  the 
conflicting  intelligence  received  from  the  front,  and  the  perplexity 
attendant  upon  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night,  it  was  impossible 
to  be  entirely  satisfied  of  the  reliability  of  a  verbal  order  from  an 
aid  not  personally  known  to  the  officer  receiving  it.  The  Regiment 
was  immediately  advanced,  by  Col.  Guss,  under  a  heavy  fire  of 
musketry.  After  marching  about  two  hundred  yards,  meeting  a 
large  number  of  wounded  and  demoralized  soldiers,  straggling  back, 
Gen.  Stevenson  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  Regiment  and  then 
rode  rapidly  toward  the  fort.  He  soon  returned,  ordered  a  "  Halt, 
about  face,"  and  sent  the  Regiment  back  to  its  former  position.  In 
a  few  minutes,  he  ordered  a  detail  of  three  companies,  witli  a  field 
officer  in  command,  to  report  immediately  at  the  abattis  on  the  beach. 
The  detail,  consisting  of  Company  A,  Capt.  Guss;  Company  F,  Capt. 
Lewis,  and  Company  H,  temporarily  in  command  of  Capt.  Haw 
kins,  was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  and  immediately 
reported  to  Gen.  Stevenson,  near  the  front,  who  said  to  Col.  Duer: 
"  It  is  reported  to  me  that  our  troops  have  effected  a  lodgment  upon 
one  angle  of  the  fort  and  retain  possession  of  it.  You  will  move 
up  and  ascertain  if  this  is  correct,  and,  if  true,  you  will  open  com 
munication  with  that  force  and  render  whatever  assistance  is  re 
quired." 

As  Lieut.  Col.  Duer's  command  advanced,  he  encountered  the 
pickets  of  the  enemy,  which  had  been  already  restored  to  their 
position  outside  the  works,  and  which  immediately  opened  a  sharp 
fire  upon  his  force.  He  was,  therefore,  convinced  that  our  troops 
held  no  part  of  the  works,  and,  accordingly,  in  obedience  to  Gen. 
Stevenson's  further  order,  proceeded  to  extend  his  line  from  the 
beach  to  the  swamp,  pressing  back  the  enemy's  pickets  to  the  shel 
ter  of  their  works  so  as  to  cover  the  men  engaged  in  bearing  off  the 
wounded.  While  thus  engaged,  Col.  Duer  was  approached  by  an 
officer  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  staff,  who  inquired  why  the  line  was 
not  picketed.  Col.  Duer  replied  that  he  had  received  no  orders 
to  picket;  that  his  instructions  were,  if  he  should  find  no  force 
in  possession  of  any  part  of  the  fort,  to  extend  his  line  between  the 
enemy  and  those  engaged  in  bringing  off  the  wounded.  He  was 
then  ordered  to  advance  a  picket  line  nearer  the  enemy  and  to 
remain  until  regularly  relieved. 

During  the  night,  upon  information  being  received  by  Gen.  Ste- 


174  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY- SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

venson  to  the  effect  that  many  of  our  men  still  remained  in  posses 
sion  of  a  portion  of  the  fort,  he  ordered  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  to  send  an 
officer  and  ten  men  to  reconnoitre  the  work.  This  was  done  by 
Lieut.  CosgrifF,  of  Company  F,  who  advanced  close  up  to  the  slopes, 
but  was  compelled  to  retire  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  His  men, 
however,  brought  off  a  wounded  officer  of  the  54th  Mass.,  who  was 
carried  to  the  field  hospital,  near  Light  House  Inlet. 

An  additional  detail  of  four  companies,  C,  D,  E  and  I,  under 
command  of  Capt.  Price,  of  Company  C,  was  also  ordered  to  report, 
without  arms,  to  Gen.  Stevenson,  on  the  beach,  near  Fort  Wagner. 
These  companies  were  directed  to  gather  up  the  wounded  and  carry 
them  back  to  a  point  where  the  ambulances  could  come  to  convey 
them  to  the  hospital.  This  duty  was  faithfully  continued  until 
daylight  rendered  it  necessary  for  the  men  to  retire  beyond  the 
range  of  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters.  During  the  night,  the  enemy 
threw  shot  and  shell  continually  over  the  ground  where  the  men 
were  seeking  for  the  wounded,  but  no  casualties  occurred.  The 
firing,  however,  so  seriously  frightened  the  ambulance  drivers  as  to 
cause  them  to  start  off  their  teams  at  a  run  as  soon  as  their  load 
of  \vounded  soldiers  was  ready,  regardless  of  the  piercing  cries  of 
the  poor  sufferers.  This  was  summarily  and  effectually  stopped  by 
sending  an  armed  guard  \vith  each  wagon,  with  orders  to  shoot  the 
driver  if  he  drove  out  of  a  walk.  Gen.  Stevenson,  upon  being  ap 
prised  of  the  responsibility  assumed  by  the  officer  in  command,  gave 
his  hearty  approval  of  the  order.  He  remained  the  entire  night 
at  the  front,  superintending  in  person  and  co-operating  with  the  offi 
cers  and  men  engaged  in  the  removal  of  the  wounded,  manifesting 
an  interest  most  commendable,  being  particularly  anxious  that  every 
wounded  colored  soldier  should  be  brought  off,  saying  to  Capt.  Price: 
"  You  know  how  much  harder  they  will  fare  at  the  hands  of  the 
enemy  than  white  men."  The  search  for  the  wounded  during  the 
early  part  of  the  night  was  pushed  to  the  moat  and  slopes  of  the 
fort  by  our  men,  who  lay  on  the  ground  and  crept  along  under  cover 
of  the  darkness  and  whatever  irregularities  of  the  ground  might 
favor  approach,  listening  for  the  groans  of  the  wounded  as  a  guide 
to  find  them,  having  to  drag  them  along  the  ground  to  such  shelter 
as  permitted  them  to  be  carried  away  by  others  toward  the  rear. 
Instances  of  greater  heroism  observed  in  many  cases  on  that  night 
could  hardly  be  realized  outside  such  experiences  among  the  brave 
men  of  the  Army  of  the  Republic.  These  deeds,  though  they 


1863.]         MORRIS   ISLAND.      SECOND   ASSAULT   ON    FORT    WAGNER.  175 

remain  unwritten,  cannot  be  lost,  for  they  are  engraved  upon  an 
imperishable  record  where  every  action  is  noted.  It  was  a  sad  and 
anxious  night's  work,  never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  engaged  in  bear 
ing  off  the  fallen  ones  from  that  thickly  strewn  field.  Many  sacred 
scenes  and  touching  incidents  filled  the  heart  with  sympathies, 
while  the  similarity  of  occasion  in  the  midst  of  dead  and  dying 
comrades  at  the  midnight  hour,  seemed  to  recall  the  beautiful  lines 
of  Rev.  Charles  Wolf,  in  the  burial  of  Sir  John  Moore,  causing  the 
lips  to  move  in  spontanous  utterance: 

"Not  a  drum  was  heard,  not  a  funeral  note, 
As  his  corse  to  the  rampart  we  hurried; 
Not  a  soldier  discharged  his  farewell  shot 
O'er  the  grave  where  our  hero  we  buried. 

"We  buried  him  darkly,  at  dead  of  night, 

The  sod  with  our  bayonets  turning; 
By  the  struggling  moonbeams'  misty  light, 
And  the  lantern  dimly  burning. 


"  And  we  knew  by  the  distant  random  gun, 
That  the  foe  was  sullenly  firing." 

The  detachment,  under  command  of  Capt.  Price,  was  engaged  in 
the  sacred  mission  of  gathering  up  and  bringing  off  their  wounded 
and  dying  comrades,  during  the  entire  night.  At  daylight,  it  was 
ordered  to  rejoin  the  Regiment  at  the  position  occupied  the  previous 
evening,  near  the  palisades,  where  it  remained,  as  a  part  of  the  re 
serve  force,  during  the  19th. 

By  morning,  the  position  occupied  by  Lieut.  Col.  Duer's  force  was 
found  to  be  one  of  extreme  peril  and  exposure.  The  men  were 
compelled  to  seek  shelter  from  the  irregularities  of  the  ground  and 
by  scratching  holes  in  the  sand  with  their  hands  and  bayonets, 
having  to  lie  close  through  the  following  day  without  chance  of 
stirring  from  their  positions.  During  the  morning,  several  wounded 
soldiers,  who  had  not  been  reached  in  the  night,  were  seen  trying 
to  crawl  toward  the  line.  Rebel  sharp-shooters  commenced  to  fire 
upon  them  and  some  were  bayoneted.  A  detachment  of  sharp 
shooters  crawled  forward  and  returned  the  fire  with  effect,  causing 
the  enemy  to  desist  from  such  barbarism.  Gen.  Gillmore  having 
asked  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  for  the  purpose  of  burying  the 


176  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  ("July, 

dead,  it  was  agreed  to  by  the  enemy  and  continued  from  10  A.  M. 
until  4  P.  M.  The  remainder  of  the  wounded  were  then  brought 
in  and  the  dead  buried.  At  the  hour  named,  firing  again  com 
menced  from  the  iron-clad  fleet,  the  forts,  and  along  the  entire  line. 

Gen.  Gillmore's  official  reports  set  down  the  loss  as  follows:  Brig. 
Gen.  George  G.  Strong's  brigade,  ten  officers  and  twenty-two  men 
killed;  thirty-eight  officers  and  four  hundred  and  thirty-six  men 
wounded;  fifteen  officers  and  three  hundred  and  fourteen  men 
missing.  Total  loss,  sixty-three  officers  and  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-two  men;  aggregate,  eight  hundred  and  thirty-five.  Col. 
Haldimand  S.  Putnam's  brigade,  fifteen  officers  and  twenty-two 
men  killed;  thirty-four  officers  and  three  hundred  and  fifty-seven 
men  wounded;  six  officers  and  two  hundred  and  six  men  missing. 
Total  loss,  fifty-five  officers  and  five  hundred  and  eighty-five  men ; 
aggregate,  six  hundred  and  forty.  Being  a  loss  to  the  two  brigades 
of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  officers  and  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  men;  aggregate,  fourteen  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

In  addition  to  Gens.  Strong  and  Seymour,  the  following  staff  offi 
cers  were  killed  or  wounded:  1st  Lieut.  Townsend  S.  Hatfield,  48th 
N.  Y.,  acting  signal  officer,  wounded;  2d  Lieut.  Stephen  S.  Stevens, 
6th  Conn  ,  acting  aid-de-camp,  killed;  both  were  officers  of  Gen.  Sey 
mour's  staff;  Maj.  John  H.  Filler,*  55th  P.  V.,  acting  aid-de-camp 


*0n  the  day  after  the  97th  P.  Y.  landed  on  Morris  Island,  Maj.  John  H.  Fil 
ler,  of  the  55th  P.  V.,  visited  the  officers  of  the  Regiment,  at  head-quarters,  then 
established  under  a  tent-fly  among  the  sand  hills.  The  day  was  excessively  hot. 
The  only  shade  to  be  found  was  the  little  square  patch  measured  by  the  canvas 
upon  the  burning  sand.  A  breeze  from  the  seaward  tempered  a  little  the  other 
wise  scorching  heat.  The  major  remained  to  dine,  or  rather  to  lunch,  on  coffee, 
hard-tack  and  bacon,  and,  by  his  inimitable  humor  and  originality,  contributed  a 
spicy  dessert  to  the  frugal  meal,  interspersing  wit  and  mirthfulness  that  rendered 
less  dreary  the  desert  of  the  sand  hills.  Conversation  turning  upon  the  expected 
assault  in  the  evening,  the  major  avowed  his  determination  to  remain  and  see  it 
out.  Accordingly,  when  the  advance  was  made,  he  accompanied  the  leading 
brigade  to  the  front,  as  an  aid  to  Gen.  Strong.  Dashing  gallantly  into  the  as 
sault,  he  gained  the  crest  of  the  work  with  the  leading  force.  He  was  soon 
favored  with  a  nearer  view  of  the  rebel  stronghold  than  was  pleasant  under  the 
circumstances.  A  sally  being  made  by  the  enemy,  he  was  captured  and  taken 
inside,  where  (it  is  reported)  his  first  .salutation  was:  "Got  anything  to  drink  in 

this  hot  climate,  for  I'm  dry."     He  did  not  remain  a  prisoner  very  long. 

Being  exchanged,  he  returned  to  his  command  aud  participated  in  subsequent 
operations  with  bis  regiment,  and  was  afterward  promoted  to  lieutenant  colone] 
and  colonel  of  his  reg'ment. 


MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  177 

to  Gen.  Strong,  taken  prisoner;  Maj.  Josiah  G.  Plympton,  3d  N. 
II.,  acting  assistant  inspector  general  to  Gen.  Strong,  wounded; 
Adjt.  Alvan  H.  Libbey,  3d  N.  H.,  acting  assistant  adjutant  general, 
killed,  2d  Lieut.  Edwin  H.  Ilickok,  76th  P.  V.,  acting  signal 
officer,  wounded.  Of  the  number  reported  missing,  most  were  sub 
sequently  ascertained  to  be  either  killed  or  wounded.*  The  enemy 
reported  that  they  had  buried  six  hundred  and  ten  of  our  men,  in 
cluding  Cols.  Putnam  and  Shaw,  who  were  buried  where  they  fell 
upon  the  parapet.  The  enemy's  loss  was  reported  at  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty,  killed,  wounded  and  captured. 

At  11  P.  M.,  on  the  19th,  Companies  A,  F  and  H  were  relieved 
by  Col.  Joshua  B.  HowelPs  brigade  and  a  portion  of  the  13th  Ind., 
during  which  time  the  enemy  opened  fire  again  from  Fort  Wagner, 
when  these  companies  rejoined  the  Regiment.  It  immediately  after 
marched  to  the  lower  end  of  Morris  Island  and  occupied  the  ground 
upon  which  it  had  bivouacked  the  night  after  landing  upon  the 
island.  Some  of  the  men  of  Col.  Duer's  command  had  been  upon 
duty  at  the  front  for  seventy-two  hours.  They  soon  threw  themselves 
down  and  found  their  coveted  rest  in  unbroken  sleep  for  several 
hours.  Here  the  camp  of  the  Regiment  was  established,  under 
shelter  tents  until  the  company  tents  and  baggage  were  received 
from  Seabrook  Island.  It  was  impossible  to  form  the  usual  lines  of 
streets,  owing  to  the  irregular  shape  of  the  ground  between  the 
high  sand  hills;  the  tents  were,  therefore,  pitched  in  the  most  avail- 


*  The  hospitals  on  Morris  Island  were  at  this  time  in  charge  of  Surgeon  John 
J.  Craven,  U.  S.  Yols.  (acting  medical  director  in  the  absence  of  Surgeon  Charles 
H.  Crane,  U.  S.  A.)  He  was  ably  supported  by  Dr.  M.  M.  Marsh,  agent  of  the 
Sanitary  Commission,  and  by  Miss  Clara  H.  Barton,  a  most  efficient  co-worker  in 
behalf  of  the  suffering  soldiers,  who  remained  steadfastly  at  the  post  of  duty 
during  the  entire  siege.  She  afterward,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  joined  the  Army 
of  the  James  Maj.  Gen.  Butler  having,  at  the  instance  of  his  chief  medical 
officer,  Surgeon  Charles  McCormick,  U.  S.  A.,  acknowleged  her  past  service?, 
appreciating  her  abilities,  gave  her  a  position  which  greatly  enhanced  her  useful 
ness  and  enabled  her  to  contribute  largely  to  the  welfare  and  comfort  of  the  army 
in  that  year.  Her  presence  at  the  base  hospital  of  the  10th  Corps  at  the  Point 
of  Rocks,  Va.,  during  the  summer  of  1864  was  most  gratefully  appreciated  by 
all  who  received  the  benefit  of  her  services.  In  March,  1865,  President  Lincoln 
appointed  her  correspondent  for  the  friends  of  paroled  prisoners.  She  afterward 
organized  a  bureau  of  friends  of  missing  men  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 
at  Washington,  which  proved  of  inestimable  service.  Her  devotion  to  her  work 
was  unabated  and  unwavering. 

12 


178  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

able  manner.     The  men  soon  had  their  bunks  arranged,  and  were 
glad  of  comfortable  shelter  after  being  exposed  so  long. 

After  the  second  disaster  at  Fort  Wagner,  Gen.  Gillmore  deter 
mined  to  accomplish,  by  regular  lines  of  approach,  the  downfall  of 
the  rebel  stronghold  which  had  hitherto  seemed  so  impregnable  to 
assault.  Lines  of  intrenchments  were  projected,  upon  which  heavy 
details  of  men  set  to  work  digging  trenches  a.nd  piling  up  walls  of 
sand-bags,  against  which  banks  of  loose  sand  were  placed  to  form 
an  impenetrable  defensive  line  of  approaches.  The  work  was 
chiefly  done  at  night,  it  being  impossible  to  accomplish  much  pro 
gress  by  day,  owing  to  the  incessant  fire  of  the  rebel  sharp-shooters. 
Night  after  night  the  work  \vas  persistently  continued,  under  con 
stant  fire  of  shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  from  the 
sharp-shooters,  who  neglected  no  opportunity  to  pick  off  or  wound 
any  who  exposed  sufficient  portion  of  their  person  for  a  target  to  an 
unerring  aim.  The  casualties  were  frequently  ten  or  fifteen  per  day 
in  killed  or  wounded.  The  number  daily  detailed  for  defence  was 
one  thousand,  and  for  work  upon  the  approaches  from  four  to  six 
hundred,  the  latter  being  on  duty  for  ten  or  twelve  hours.  During 
the  entire  period,  all  fatigue  and  defence  details  were  exposed  to 
the  enemy's  batteries  from  James  Island,  Forts  Johnson,  Gregg, 
Sumter,  Wagner  and,  later,  of  Fort  Moultrie  and  another  battery 
on  Sullivan's  Island. 

At  intervals,  during  the  siege,  the  iron-clad  fleet  would  approach 
Forts  Wagner  and  Sumter  and  open  fire.  For  hours,  the  air  re 
sounded  with  the  roar  of  artillery  and  the  crash  of  iron  hail  fall 
ing  upon  the  impenetrable  walls  of  the  floating  iron-clad  batteries. 
While  this  continued,  the  men  could  work  by  day  in  the  trenches, 
as  the  rebels  were  kept  in  close  quarters  by  the  shot  and  shell. 

At  night,  the  heavy  siege  guns  and  mortars  were  hauled  into  po 
sition  and  mounted  on  the  batteries  as  the  work  progressed,  one 
hundred  men  being  required  to  haul  each  gun  and  mortar,  without 
its  carriage  (these  being  hauled  separately),  having  large  timber 
wheels  or  sling  carts  for  the  purpose.  It  was  found  impossible  to 
manage  teams  of  horses  or  mules  so  near  the  front,  on  account  of 
the  noise,  within  hearing  of  the  enemy.  It  was,  therefore,  neces 
sary  to  make  details  of  men  for  the  purpose. 

The  duty  in  the  trenches  required  the  troops  to  be  arduously  en 
gaged  almost  constantly  during  the  siege,  each  regiment  being 
detailed  every  alternate  twenty-four  hours.  But  the  difficulties 


MORRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE   OF    CHARLESTON.  179 

attending  the  change  of  relief  in  the  trenches,  owing  to  the  prox 
imity  to  the  rebel  works,  whose  guns  shelled  the  approaches  con 
tinually  with  grape  and  canister,  at  such  times  as  it  was  thought 
likely  these  changes  would  be  made,  detained  the  men  at  the 
front  often  thirty-two  or  thirty-four  hours,  leaving  but  fourteen  or 
sixteen  hours  for  rest  in  camp  before  being  again  detailed. 

It  was  quite  unusual  to  get  back  to  quarters  before  11  P.  INT., 
supper  having  then  to  be  prepared  and  eaten  before  getting  to 
sleep,  inarching  again  at  5  P.  M.,  the  next  day,  to  the  front,  to  be 
ready  for  the  chances  of  returning  safely  into  the  trenches.  This 
service  was  very  wearing  upon  the  men.  Many  were  taken  sick 
and  rendered  unfit  for  duty  in  consequence,  but  they  generally 
maintained  a  cheerful,  uncomplaining  and  commendable  readiness 
to  meet  these  requirements. 

One  of  the  chief  difficulties  to  be  encountered  was  owing  to  the 
narrowness  of  the  neck  of  land  between  our  position  and  Fort 
Wagner  whose  front  was  more  than  ten  times  wider  than  the  nar 
rowest  portion  over  which  the  approaches  must  be  built.  It  oc 
cupied  the  entire  width  of  the  island  at  the  front  where  it  stood, 
and  was  provided  with  a  sluice  gate  entrance  to  the  moat  which 
retained  the  water  admitted  at  the  highest  tide.  Its  garrison  could 
receive  supplies  at  all  times  without  interruption,  and  reinforce 
ments  could  be  thrown  into  it  from  Charleston  and  from  Gen.  Lee's 
entire  army  at  short  notice.  The  siege  operations  could  be  embar 
rassed,  at  all  times,  by  a  concentrated  and  cross  fire,  from  six 
separate  points,  and  a  greatly  superior  force  could  at  all  times  be 
thrown  against  any  force  that  could  be  made  available  at  the  front, 
during  the  entire  period  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  operations.  One  of  the 
first  measures  of  precaution  against  any  sudden  attempt  of  the  enemy 
was  the  erection  of  a  heavy  line  of  inclined  palisading  across  the 
island,  about  two  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the  line,  with  strong 
obstructions  to  render  the  position  secure.  A  large  bombproof 
magazine  was  constructed  at  a  point  within  a  short  distance  of  the 
location  of  the  first  parallel,  which  was  completed  by  July  23, 
within  fourteen  hundred  yards  of  Fort  Wagner.  The  second  pa 
rallel  was  opened  on  the  night  of  the  23d.  with  an  average  advance 
of  from  six  to  eight  hundred  yards  beyond  the  first.  At  this 
point,  every  resource  of  engineering  science  was  taxed  to  its  utmost, 
in  perfecting  works  of  great  strength,  provided  with  bomb  and 
splinter  proofs  as  safe  shelter  for  the  men  guarding  the  continued 


180 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[July, 


BOMB   AND    SPLINTEK    PKOOF. 


advance.  This  point  of 
operations  became  the 
focus  of  a  destructive, 
concentrated  fire.  Fort 
Sumter  must  now  be  re 
duced  or  silenced,  as  its 
plunging  shot  into  the 
works  was  continual 
and  most  disastrous. 
The  engineers  com 
menced  the  erection  of  breeching  batteries,  to  operate  against  Fort 
Sumter,  on  the  night  of  July  25.  The  work  was  pushed  forward 
with  the  utmost  diligence  day  and  night.  Neither  the  heat  of  the 
tropical  sun  nor  the  shot  and  shell  of  a  vigilant  enemy  were  allowed 
to  interfere  with  this  work.  The  labor  was  terribly  exhausting  to 
the  men,  and  the  guard  duty  in  the  trenches  was  scarcely  less  oppres 
sive.  These  batteries  occupied  a  position  in  the  first  and  second 
parallels.  Those  on  the  western  side  of  the  island  were  known  in 
all  the  siege  operations  as  the  Left  Batteries. 

The  battery  in  the  first  parallel  mounted  two  rifled  two-hundred- 
pounder  Parrotts  and  two  eighty-four-pounder  "Whitworth  guns,  five 
eight-inch  and  five  ten-inch  siege  mortars,  and  ten  thirty-pounder 
Parrotts.  These  guns  were  all  manned  by  a  detachment  of  sailors 
from  the  fleet,  under  Com.  Foxhall  A.  Parker,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy. 
In  addition  to  these  was  a  regular  battery  manned  by  infantry. 
The  distance  of  these  guns  from  Fort  Sumter  was  four  thousand 
yards. 

In  the  batteries  of  the  second  parallel,  named,  respectively, 
Meade,  Rosecrans  and  Brown,  were  mounted  two  two-hundred- 
pounder  and  five  one-hundred-pounder  Parrotts,  at  a  distance  of 
three  thousand  three  hundred  and  thirty  yards.  The  Left  Batteries, 
forty-two  hundred  and  forty  yards  from  Fort  Sumter,  four  in  num 
ber,  named  Hays,  Reno,  Stevens  and  Strong,  mounted  one  three- 
hundred-pounder  and  four  twenty-pounder  Parrotts.  In  rear  of  the 
first  parallel  and  near  the  Beacon  House  were  the  siege  guns  already 
mentioned  in  the  first  bombardment  of  Fort  Wagner,  which  were 
also  used  against  Fort  Sumter. 

Perhaps  the  most  noted  battery  erected  by  our  forces,  in  the  ope 
rations  upon  Charleston,  was  the  Swamp  Angel,  a  description  of 
which  is  given  in  ?  future  paragraph. 


MORRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE   OF    CHARLESTON. 


181 


AIIMY    SIGNAL   TELEGUAPFI. 


After  the  completion  of  those 
works,  the  engineers  continued  to 
advance  the  approaches  toward  Fort 
Wagner.  A  second  and  larger  maga 
zine  was  built  at  the  second  parallel, 
capable  of  storing  an  ample  supply 
of  powder  for  all  the  heavy  guns. 
Adjoining  it  was  a  small  bombproof, 
in  which  was  placed  an  army  tele 
graph  instrument  for  communication 
with  the  general  head-quarters.  It 
was  also  occupied  as  the  head-quarters  of  the  field  officer  of  the 
trenches,  during  the  active  operations  of  the  siege.  A  watch  was 
kept  stationed  on  the  top  of  the  supply  magazine,  to  give  warning 
when  the  enemy's  guns  opened  fire,  by  calling  out  the  name  of  the 
enemy's  work  from  which  the  shell  was  coining:  "Johnson,  cover," 
"Sumter,  cover,"  "Wagner,  cover,"  indicating  to  the  men  at  work 
in  the  trenches  from  whence  the  danger  was  coming,  when,  for  an 
instant,  all  would  lie  close  to  the  bank,  which  afforded  the  best 
shelter  from  the  splinters  which  soon  came  down  in  a  shower  over 
their  heads.  By  this  means,  many  lives  and  limbs  were  retained 
for  continued  service.  Dodging  the  shells  soon  became  an  art  that 
lost  but  little  time  from  the  work. 

About  July  20,  Lieut.  Col.  Uuer  was  ordered  to  St.  Helena  Is 
land,  S.  C.,  to  take  charge  of  the  convalescent  camp  established  at 
that  place,  where  he  remained  in  command  until  near  the  end  of 
September  following.  The  command  of  the  Regiment  then  de 
volved  upon  Maj.  Penny  packer,  who  entered  upon  the  arduous  ser 
vice  of  the  siege  with  his  usual  energy  and  unsparing  devotion 

On  July  21,  the  97th  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj.  J.  O.  Mason, 
paymaster  U.  S.  V.,  for  the  months  of  May  and  June,  1863. 

On  July  22,  Capt.  McConnell,  of  Company  E,  with  the  men  in 
his  charge,  who  had  remained  at  Seabrook  Island,  arrived  at  Morris 
Island  with  the  tents  and  baggage  of  the  Regiment. 

At  this  time,  Gen.  Gillmore  ordered  a  detail  from  each  regiment  of 
his  army  to  proceed  to  the  draft  rendezvous  of  their  respective  States, 
to  receive  and  conduct  to  the  department  such  recruits,  drafted  men 
and  substitutes  as  might  be  required  to  fill  their  depleted  ranks  to 
the  maximum  number.  The  roster  of  the  97th  Regiment  showed 
at  this  time  a  deficiency  of  two  hundred  and  ninety  men. 


182  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [J^Y, 

For  this  service,  Capts.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis,  of  Company  F,  and 
Caleb  Hoopes,  of  Company  G,  with  five  men  of  the  Regiment,  were 
detailed  with  orders  to  proceed  to  the  draft  rendezvous,  at  Philadel 
phia.  They  left  Morris  Island,  July  23,  on  the  steamer  Arago, 
which  stopped  off  the  entrance  of  Charleston  Harbor  to  receive  the 
several  details  which  were  sent  out  to  the  steamer  on  one  of  the 
steamtugs. 

On  the  morning  of  July  24,  there  was  an  exchange  of  wrounded 
prisoners  at  Charleston.  The  hospital  steamer  Cosmopolitan,  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Col.  James  F.  Hall,  1st  N.  Y.  Engineers,  provost 
marshal  general  of  the  department,  having  on  board  Surgeon  John 
J.  Craven,  Act'g  Med.  Director  Dep't,  and  thirty-nine  wounded 
rebel  prisoners,  to  be  paroled  for  regular  exchange,  proceeded  under 
a  flag  of  truce  to  Charleston.  They  returned  with  one  hundred  and 

o  *- 

five  wounded  Union  men,  who  were  then  sent  to  the  United  States 
hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  The  enemy  refused  to  deliver  any 
of  the  wounded  colored  soldiers.  Information  was  obtained  that 
one  hundred  and  eight  wounded  still  remained  in  their  possession, 
unable  to  be  moved,  and  that  fifty-one  had  died  since  being 
captured.  A  large  number  of  amputations  had  taken  place,  some 
of  which,  doubtless,  might  have  been  saved  by  the  surgeons  of  our 
army. 

On  July  26,  the  brigade  was  inspected  by  Capt.  William  Pratt, 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  of  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade.  He 
praised  the  appearance  of  the  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  and  noted 
the  excellent  condition  of  the  guns,  accoutrements,  etc.  During  the 
day,  at  the  front,  the  enemy  shelled  the  lines  so  continuously  that 
no  fatigue  parties  could  work  upon  the  approaches. 

On  the  28th,  the  land  batteries  and  the  iron-clad  fleet  bombarded 
the  enemy's  works  throughout  the  day.  The  fire  was  returned 
from  Forts  Sumter  and  Johnson,  but  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg  were 
kept  silent  by  the  fire. 

On  the  29th,  the  Regiment  received  a  supply  of  new  A  tents, 
which  were  greatly  needed,  the  old  ones  having  become  torn  and 
leaky  from  long  use. 

About  this  time,  the  enemy  opened  a  new  battery  on  James  Island, 
wrhich  partially  enfiladed  our  works,  causing  considerable  annoyance. 

In  addition  to  the  casualties  reported  during  July,  five  men  were 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  and  one,  Corp. 
Thomas  Cummins  of  Company  E,  died,  of  typhoid  fever,  July  29. 


1863 -1  MORRIS   ISLAND.       SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  183 

By  the  1st  of  August,  1863,  the  forces  on  Morris  Island  had 
been  increased  by  the  arrival  of  one  brigade  of  Brig.  Gen.  George 
II.  Gordon's  division  of  the  llth  Corps,  and  on  the  14th  another 
brigade  arrived,  under  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Alexander 
Schimraelfinnig,  followed  by  other  troops,  until  the  reinforcements 
readied  ten  thousand  men.  Among  them  were  the  74th  P.  V., 
organized  by  Gen.  Schimmelfinnig,  now  commanded  by  Col.  A.  Von 
Hartung;  the  174th  P.  V.,  Col.  John  Nyce,  and  the  176th  P.  V., 
Col.  Amb.  A.  Lechler.  The  two  latter  were  militia  regiments, 
drafted  for  nine  months'  service.  They  remained  on  duty  at  Hilton 
Head  and  Beaufort,  and  soon  after  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and 
were  mustered  out  about  the  middle  of  August.  A  portion  of 
these  troops  had  served  in  North  Carolina  and  the  remainder  were 
from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  addition  of  this  force  greatly 
relieved  the  troops,  heavily  overtaxed  by  the  severity  of  the  siege 
duty. 

Col.  Guss  was  again  assigned,  on  August  1,  to  the  command  of 
the  1st  brigade,  1st  division,  10th  Corps,  relieving  General  Israel 
Yogdes,  who  held  the  command  for  a  short  time,  after  Gen.  Strong 
was  wounded,  in  the  assault  upon  Fort  Wagner,  and  was  now 
ordered  to  relieve  Col.  W.  W.  H.  Davis  in  the  command  of  the 
troops  on  Folly  Island.  Col.  Guss  established  his  head-quarters  on 
the  beach,  about  a  mile  nearer  the  front  than  the  camp,  at  the  sand 
bluffs,  occupied  by  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade.  The  97th  P.  V. 
was  now  transferred  to  the  first  brigade,  to  the  great  satisfaction  ot 
the  entire  command,  although  the  period  of  service  in  Gen.  Steven 
son's  brigade  had  been  rendered  most  pleasant  by  the  kindness, 
courtesy  and  confidence  of  that  accomplished  officer.  The  1st 
brigade  was  composed  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  3d  and  4th  N.  H.,  and 
the  9th  Maine.  The  3d  United  States  colored  troops,  Col.  Benja 
min  C.  Tilghman,  was  afterwards  added  to  the  brigade.  Col.  Guss 
appointed  upon  his  staff  the  following  officers:  1st  Lieut.  Henry 
W.  Carruthers,  adjt.  97th  P.  V.,  A.  A.  A.  General;  1st  Lieut. 
George  F.  Towle,  4th  N.  H.  acting  assistant  inspector  general; 
1st  Lieut.  Roger  W.  Woodbury,  3d  N.  H.,  aid-de-camp;  1st  Lieut. 
Frank  J.  Magee,  76th  P.  V.,  assistant  quarter-master;  Surgeon  An 
drew  J.  II.  Buzzell,  3d  N.  II.,  brigade  surgeon.  These  officers,  with 
the  exception  of  Lieuts.  Towle  and  Woodbury,  had  served  previously 
upon  the  staff  of  Col.  Guss.  2d  Lieut.  George  B.  Dyer,  9th  Maine, 
relieved  Lieut.  Magee  in  a  short  time,  the  latter  being  ordered  to  re- 


184  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

join  his  regiment  at  Hilton  Head.  Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  97th 
P.  V.,  relieved  Surgeon  Buzzell  in  September.  The  latter  served 
subsequently  as  acting  medical  inspector  of  the  10th  Corps,  and 
died  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  March  28,  1865,  of  typhoid  fever,  while 
on  duty  attendant  upon  the  exchange  of  prisoners.  He  was  a  most 
efficient  officer,  faithful  and  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties,  and  beloved  by  all  who  had  the  opportunity  to  observe  and 
appreciate  his  valuable  services,  both  in  the  camp  and  the  field. 

Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles,  Company  B,  was  now  detailed  acting  ad 
jutant  of  the  Regiment,  and  continued  to  perform  that  duty  during 
the  remainder  of  the  operations  on  Morris  Island. 

On  the  evening  of  August  3,  a  scouting  party,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Capt.  Lewis  S.  Paine,  of  the  100th  N.  Y.,  proceeded  to 
explore  the  position  of  the  enemy,  advancing  in  two  small  boats, 
up  Lighthouse  Creek,  Capt.  Paine  being  in  the  advance  boat  and 
1st  Sergt.  and  acting  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne,  of  Company  D,  of  the 
97th  P.  V.,  with  his  brother,  Corp.  David  Odiorne,  and  Privates 
Thomas  Elliott,  Joseph  L.  Eyre,  William  H.  Griffith,  Thomas  Kel- 
ley,  William  McCarty,  Joseph  Russell  and  Isaac  Sapp,  of  the  same 
company,  with  the  other,  the  object  being  also  to  picket  the  creek 
during  the  night.  They  had  reached  an  old  landing  and  were 
about  going  ashore,  Capt.  Paine  and  his  men  having  already  left 
their  boat,  when  they  were  fired  upon  by  a  rebel  force  secreted 
behind  the  approach  to  the  landing.  At  the  first  discharge,  Sergt. 
Odiorne  hastened  toward  the  shore  to  assist  Capt.  Payne  and  party, 
but  finding  they  were  already  captured,  the  picket  boat  pulled  away 
from  the  shore  again,  when  a  volley  of  musketry  was  fired. 
Privates  Joseph  L.  Eyre  and  Joseph  Russell,  of  Company  D,  of  the 
97th  P.  V.,  were  instantly  killed  in  the  boat,  one  sitting  on  each 
side  of  Sergt.  Odiorne.  Private  Sapp  was  also  wounded  in  the 
knee.  With  great  presence  of  mind,  Sergt.  Odiorne  jumped  from 
his  boat  and  pushed  it  out  into  the  stream,  at  the  same  time  order 
ing  his  remaining  men  to  pull  for  their  lives  while  he  regained  his 
position  in  the  boat  and  thus  escaped  amid  a  shower  of  balls, 
bringing  off  their  dead  and  wounded  comrades.  Capt.  Payne  and 
his  force  were  all  captured  by  the  enemy.  Company  D  was  at  this 
time  on  duty  with  other  detachments,  under  command  of  Capt. 
Mendenhall,  detailed  as  a  guard  to  the  engineer  corps  engaged  in 
locating  the  famous  battery,  in  the  marshes  of  Lighthouse  Creek, 
that  became  so  widely  known  as  the  Swamp  Angel,  whose  shell  were 


1863  ]  MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF    CHARLESTON.  1s") 

the  first  to  penetrate  and  fire  the  city  of  Charleston.  This  force 
was  constantly  on  duty  for  eight  days,  chiefly  engaged  at  night, 
patroling  the  numerous  channels  and  bayous,  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  interfering  with  or  gaining  a  knowledge  of  the  work  going  on 
and  to  prevent  their  crossing  to  the  left  of  Fort  Wagner,  from  Fort 
Johnson  on  James  Island,  the  channels  being  bridged  by  plank 
footways  resting  upon  piles,  affording  communication  under  cover  of 
night.  This  duty  was  hazardous  and  exposing,  as  was  shown  by 
the  result  of  the  night  attack  upon  Capt.  Paine's  party,  before  nar 
rated.  Other  companies  of  the  Regiment  also  furnished  details  for 
the  construction  force  engaged  in  preparing  material  for  and  in  the 
erection  of  the  Swamp  Angel  Battery,  which  was  commenced  about 
August  4  and  completed  by  the  19th.  This  work  was  located  at  a 
point  selected  in  the  swamp,  accessible  only  at  high  water,  and 
situate  at  a  distance  of  eighty-eight  hundred  yards  from  Charleston. 
Upon  sounding  the  marsh,  a  pole  could  be  run  down  in  the  mud 
sixteen  feet  before  coming  to  bottom.  The  superintendence  of  this 
work  was  assigned  to  a  lieutenant  of  engineers,  of  whom  the  camp 
stories  reported  that,  upon  being  shown  the  place  where  the  battery 
was  to  be  erected,  said  "The  thing  was  impossible."  The  com 
manding  officer,  Col.  Serrell,  of  the  1st  N.  Y.  Engineers,  replied: 
"There  is  no  such  word  as  impossible.  The  battery  must  be  built 
at  the  point  indicated."  The  doubting  lieutenant  was  then  told  he 
had  permission  to  make  requisition  for  anything  that  might  be  re 
quired  for  the  work.  He  at  once  made  requisition  upon  the  de 
partment  quarter-master  for  one  hundred  men  eighteen  feet  high  to 
wade  in  mud  sixteen  feet  deep.  After  making  this  requisition,  he 
applied  to  the  surgeon  of  his  regiment  to  inquire  whether  he  could 
splice  the  eighteen  feet  men  if  they  were  furnished  him,  for  which 
piece  of  pleasantry  the  incredulous  lieutenant  found  himself  in 
arrest.  He  was,  however,  soon  released  and  furnished  with  plans 
upon  which  men  of  ordinary  stature  soon  commenced  active  opera 
tions. 

A  huge  raft  of  logs  was  constructed  of  the  proper  dimensions, 
firmly  lashed  together,  the  logs  in  double  layers  crossed  and  inter 
locked.  This  was  floated  at  high  tide,  upon  a  favorable  night,  to 
the  place  selected,  each  corner  was  then  made  fast  to  a  stake  firmly 
fixed  in  the  mud;  boats  accompanied  the  raft,  laden  with  thousands 
of  gunny  bags  filled  with  sand;  these  were  laid  over  the  entire 
surface  of  the  raft,  the  weight  gradually  sinking  it  upon  the  level 


186 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[August, 


THE    SWAMP    ANGEL   BATTERY. 


mud  bottom.  Additional  layers  were  added  until  the  surface  was 
raised  above  the  reach  of  the  highest  tide ;  then  a  double  layer  of 
heavy  plank  was  laid  down  for  a  floor  for  the  battery.  Around  the 
sides,  walls  of  sand-bags  were  built  up  of  twelve  to  fourteen  feet 
in  thickness  and  of  sufficient  height  to  afford  ample  protection. 

By  daylight  the  next 

^ .     xsy^  ^^^i^  morning  the  work  was 

«=j  so  far  completed  as  to 

be  ready  for  the  large 
gun  intended  for  it. 
Rising  like  a  huge 
monster  from  the  sur 
face  of  the  swamp,  its 
frowning  crest  greeted 
the  astonished  gaze  of 
the  occupants  of  the 
rebel  forts  under  whose 

guns  it  had  silently  grown  up  to  its  full  clad  completeness  in  a 
single  night.  Three  brave  men  volunteered  to  remain  in  it  the  en 
suing  day,  having  sufficient  provisions  and  being  heavily  armed 
with  Spencer  repeating  rifles,  to  prevent  the  work  being  captured 
and  occupied  by  the  enemy.  The  construction  party  retired  as 
usual  at  daylight  from  the  creeks  in  its  vicinity,  leaving  the  three 
men  alone  upon  their  long  and  perilous  vigil.  The  enemy  soon 
opened  fire  upon  it  from  Forts  Johnson,  Sumter  and  Moultrie, 
keeping  up  an  incessant  cross  fire  of  several  hours'  duration,  which, 
not  being  returned,  finally  ceased.  The  men  were  unhurt  and  the 
work  received  no  material  injury. 

The  next  night,  the  Swamp  Angel,  a  two-hundred-pounder  Par- 
rott  gun,  was  successfully  placed  in  position,  and  from  that  hour 
Charleston  was  at  the  mercy  of  its  shot  and  shell.  In  consequence, 
however,  of  information  received  that  the  Union  prisoners  were 
placed  by  the  rebel  authorities  in  the  places  most  exposed  to  its 
range,  it  was  but  little  used  during  the  siege  and  finally  exploded  at 
the  thirty-sixth  discharge. 

The  third  parallel  was  opened  by  means  of  the  flying  sap,  at  a 
distance  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  Fort  Wagner,  on  the 
night  of  August  9.  A  large  roller  made  of  bundles  of  withes  con 
fined  by  iron  bands  was  kept  in  advance  of  the  men  opening  the 
sap.  The  work  was  thus  rapidly  carried  forward. 


MORRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE   OF    CHARLESTON.  1N7 

At  this  time,  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker  was  prostrated  by  illness, 
being  attaekecl  with  intermittent  fever,  which  kept  him  from  active 
duty.  The  Regiment  was  now  commanded  by  Capt.  Isaiah  Price, 
of  Company  C,  the  senior  line  officer. 

On  the  evening  of  August  11,  the  enemy  opened  on  our  lines 
with  grape  and  canister  shot,  with  the  evident  intention  of  prevent 
ing  any  change  of  the  forces  in  the  trenches,  but  alter  a  few  hours 
they  gave  it  up.  The  men  then  went  quietly  and  safely  to  their 
places  at  the  front.  A  similar  fire  was  opened  on  the  next  evening, 
with  the  same  result. 

On  the  13th,  1st  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus,  of  Company  C,  returned 
from  duty  in  the  commissary  department,  at  Beaufort,  and  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  detail  of  sharp-shooters  from  the  97th 
P.  V.  The  selection  of  the  best  marksmen  for  each  company  com 
posed  the  detail.  They  were  stationed  during  the  day  near  Fort 
Wagner,  and  remained  on  duty  during  the  remainder  of  the  siege. 
This  service  was  both  arduous  and  dangerous,  and  subjected  the 
men  to  great  exposure. 

On  the  14th,  five  men  of  the  Regiment  were  detailed  to  report  to 
1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  of  Company  E,  acting  regimental  quarter 
master,  under  whose  command  they  proceeded  to  Hilton  Head,  to 
bring  forward  the  regimental  baggage,  stored  at  that  place,  under 
charge  of  Private  E.  Lane  Scofield,  of  Company  K. 

On  the  same  date,  while  on  fatigue  duty  at  the  front,  the  Regi 
ment  was  shelled  by  the  rebels  from  1  A.  M.  until  3  A.  M.,  pre 
venting  the  men  from  work.  At  daylight,  had  a  precarious  time 
in  getting  safely  to  the  rear,  being  exposed  to  the  rebel  fire. 

By  August  17,  all  the  heavy  siege  guns  and  the  immense  one- 
hundred  and  two-hundred-pounder  batteries  having  all  been  suc 
cessfully  placed  in  position,  it  was  determined  to  open  a  concen 
trated  fire  upon  Fort  Sumter  that  morning.  The  enemy  had  shelled 
the  lines  during  the  entire  night.  At  1  A.  M.,  they  threw  spherical 
case  shot  from  Fort  Wagner,  no  doubt  anticipating  a  charge.  The 
97th  P.  V.  was  at  the  frorft  when  the  bombardment  by  the  land 
and  naval  forces  commenced  at  4  A.  M.  The  men  had  the  satis 
faction  of  seeing  the  first  crash  of  the  iron  hail  from  the  two- 
hundred-pound  shot  and  shell  upon  the  walls  that,  more  than  two 
years  before,  were  the  first  to  feel  the  dishonoring  grasp  of  fratri 
cidal  rebellion's  successful  assault.  With  what  mingled  emotions 
of  satisfaction  and  regret  they  saw  the  clouds  of  smoke,  dust  and 


188  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

rubbish  flying  before  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell,  hurled  from  the 
guns  of  the  land  and  naval  forces,  upon  the  devoted  works.  At 
length,  the  outraged  honor  of  the  flag  and  the  national  integrity 
were  being  vindicated  upon  the  spot  that  witnessed  the  unnatural 
crime  of  their  desecration.  Every  missile  from  the  immense  guns 
seemed  a  righteous  retribution,  terribly  grand  in  its  crushing  effect. 
Loyal  hearts  now  beheld  the  wielding  of  the  nation's  power  typified 
as  an  effective  force,  as  the  crumbling  walls  of  this  boasted  im 
pregnable  fortress,  gradually  falling  away,  disclosed,  at  first,  rough 
pits,  jagged  holes  and  defaced  corners,  and  ere  long  the  well- 
defined  arches  of  the  casemates,  as  the  outer  wall  was  penetrated. 
The  firing  was  thereafter  continued  almost  incessantly  during  each 
day.  At  night,  the  enemy  filled  in  the  breaches  with  sand-bags. 
Return  firing  was  kept  up  from  all  the  adjacent  rebel  works,  and 
from  Fort  Sumter  also.  The  casualties  were,  however,  very  slight, 
as  the  men  were  ordered  to  keep  in  the  shelter  of  the  bombproofs 
and  trenches. 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  17th,  a  shell  from  Fort  Sumter  struck 
at  the  picket  head-quarters,  in  the  advance  trenches,  a  splinter  from 
which  slightly  wounded,  in  the  head,  Col.  Joshua  B.  Howell,  of  the 
85th  P.  V.,  in  command  of  the  forces  at  the  front.  Two  of  his 
aids  were  also  wrounded  and  the  telegraph  instrument  broken.  The 
guard  at  head-quarters  were  from  the  97th  P.  V.,  but  none  were 
injured. 

On  the  third  day  after  the  commencement  of  the  bombardment, 
it  was  observed,  by  the  aid  of  a  field  glass,  from  the  top  of  a  high 
sand  hill,  that  upon  the  southern  face  of  Fort  Sumter  Jive  casemates 
were  uncovered.  The  southeast  face  was  also  riddled  with  pits  and 
holes,  but  from  the  angle  of  observation  the  casemates  could  not  be 
distinguished.  Several  times  the  flagstaff  had  been  shot  away. 
At  length,  a  short  pole  was  put  up  in  one  corner  and  the  flag  nailed 
to  it.  After  the  close  of  each  day's  firing,  the  mortar  batteries 
threw  shell  occasionally,  to  keep  working  parties  from  repairing  the 
breaches. 

The  Swamp  Angel  Battery  was  ready  to  open  fire  upon  Charles 
ton.  Gen.  Gillmore  determined  to  summon  Gen.  Beauregard  to 
abandon  1V1  orris  Island  and  Fort  Sumter  before  commencing  the 
bombardment  of  the  city.  At  noon,  on  Sunday,  August  22,  Lieut. 
Col.  James  F.  Hall,  provost  marshal  general,  proceeded  toward  the 
enemy's  lines,  with  a  flag  of  truce,  to  deliver  Gen.  Gillmore's  sum- 


1863-1  MORRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE    OF    CHARLESTON.  18J) 

mnns.  He  passed  up  the  beach  to  a  point  near  the  fort,  where  lie 
was  met  by  a  lieutenant  of  the  enemy,  who  received  the  com  muni- 
cation.  During  the  conference,  which  lasted  only  a  short  time,  the 
men  on  both  sides  came  out  into  view  of  each  other  upon  the  ex 
posed  sides  of  the  respective  lines,  the  men  appearing  like  swarms  of 
bees  on  the  walls  of  Fort  Wagner.  The  97th  P.  V.  was  at  this 
time  at  the  front  upon  duty.  The  firing  was  immediately  resumed 
after  the  return  of  the  flag  of  truce. 

In  the  evening,  a  steamer  appeared,  coming  out  of  Charleston 
Harbor  with  a  flag  of  truce,  and,  upon  continuing  out  beyond  the 
lines,  blank  shot  were  fired  across  her  bow  to  bring  her  to,  but 
without  effect.  A  solid  shot  then  stopped  her  further  progress. 
The  Ironsides  and  Monitor  advanced  from  the  fleet  and  a  conference 
had,  but  nothing  definite  was  ascertained,  beyond  the  fact  of  the 
refusal  to  comply  with  Gen.  Gillmore's  demand.  It  was  a  cause  of 
great  indignation  that  the  steamer  should  be  allowed  to  get  so  far 
out,  and  to  remain  in  a  position  from  which  every  part  of  the  land 
operations  and  the  extent  and  position  of  the  force  could  be  ob 
served. 

Gen.  Gillmorc  waited  twenty-six  hours  in  order  to  give  Bcaure- 
gard  opportunity  to  remove  non-combatants  from  the  city  if  such 
was  his  intention.  He  then  gave  directions  for  opening  fire  with 
the  Swamp  Angel,  which  threw  its  shell  into  the  heart  of  the  city, 
causing  great  consternation  to  its  citizens  and  indignation  on  the 
part  of  Gen.  Beauregard,  who  complained  that  no  reasonable  notice 
had  been  given  of  intention  to  open  fire  upon  an  inhabited  city, 
and  claimed  that  he  was  absent  from  the  front  when  Gen.  Gillmore's 
message  was  received.  Gen.  Gillmore  maintained  that  due  notice 
had  been  given  and  ample  time  afforded,  and  insisted  that  nothing 
had  been  done  contrary  to  the  laws  and  customs  of  war. 

A  Charleston  paper  thus  describes  the  effect  of  the  shell:  "Be 
tween  one  and  two  o'clock,  on  Tuesday  morning,  the  enemy  com 
menced  firing  on  the  city,  arousing  our  people  from  their  slumbers. 
Twelve  eight-inch  shell  fell  into  the  city,  thirteen  in  all  havin» 
been  fired.  Fortunately,  no  persons  were  injured.  Several  shell 
flew  in  the  direction  of  St.  Michael's  steeple,  and  fell  cither  in  the 
vacant  lots  in  the  burnt  district,  on  King  Street,  or  more  generally 
struck  in  the  centre  of  the  streets,  as  exhibited  at  the  corner  of 
Queen  and  Rutledge  Streets,  where  an  eight-inch  shell  tore  up  the 
plank  road  and  dug  a  large  hole  in  the  ground.  Another  shot  en- 


190  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

tered  a  warehouse,  at  the  corner  of  Hayne  and  Church  Streets, 
entering  the  roof  and  exploded  in  the  upper  story,  making  a  large 
opening  in  the  back  wall  of  the  medical  purveyor's  storehouse,  next 
door,  and  scattering  things  in  great  confusion.  Some  loose  straw 
or  packing  was  set  on  fire,  which  caused  the  alarm  bells  to  ring  and 
brought  out  the  firemen.  (We  could  distinctly  hear  these  bells  on 
Morris  Island.)  Four  shell  fell  in  this  locality.  One  large  piece 
was  picked  up  and  exhibited  at  the  guardhouse,  where  it  was  the 
subject  of  much  curiosity." 

At  10  P.  M.,  on  the  17th,  the  enemy  sallied  out  from  Fort 
Wagner  and  charged  upon  the  sappers  and  miners  at  work  in  their 
front.  They,  however,  only  succeeded  in  driving  the  pickets  a  few 
yards  and  did  not  interrupt  the  work,  as  the  reserve  forces  soon 
after  reoccupied  the  ground.  About  this  time,  the  firing  was  very 
severe  and  many  casualties  occurred. 

The  work  upon  the  approaches  had,  in  the  meantime,  progressed 
steadily.  A  heavy  northeast  storm,  on  the  18th  and  19th,  with  an 
unusually  high  tide,  filled  the  trenches  and  washed  down  the  third 
parallel.  This  was  soon  restored  and  a  fourth  parallel  opened,  on 
the  night  of  the  21st,  three  hundred  yards  from  the  fort.  The 
work  had  now  to  be  done  entirely  at  night,  owing  to  the  vigi 
lance  of  the  sharp-shooters  in  the  spurs  and  rifle  pits  outside  the 
fort,  who  embraced  every  opportunity  to  pick  off  the  men. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st,  three  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were 
slightly  wounded,  by  spent  grape  shot  while  on  duty  in  the 
trenches;  Privates  Francis  Hoffman,  Company  C,  in  the  foot; 
Harmon  B.  Cloud,  Company  D,  and  Thomas  Evans  Brown,  Com 
pany  F,  both  in  the  shoulder.  During  the  week,  the  Regiment  lost 
nine  men  killed  and  twenty-five  wounded.  Some  others,  slightly 
injured,  were  not  reported. 

Corp.  Wilbur  Flannery,  of  Company  D,  who  had  been  detailed 
as  clerk  at  post  head-quarters,  at  Hilton  Head,  since  March  15, 
1863,  now  returned  to  the  Regiment  for  duty.  He  was  detailed  at 
head-quarters  of  Col.  Guss'  brigade  upon  his  return  to  camp. 

On  the  night  of  the  24th,  while  the  97th  P.  V.  was  in  the  trenches 
at  the  front,  supporting  the  batteries  on  the  left,  the  pickets  had  a 
sharp  skirmish  with  those  of  the  enemy,  in  which  the  latter  lost  a 
number  of  men.  None  of  our  men  were  seriously  wounded.  The 
enemy  seemed  impressed,  by  the  severity  of  the  skirmish  movements 
of  the  97th  P.  V.,  that  an  assault  was  contemplated  upon  the  fort' 


1868-1  MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  191 

The  batteries  on  James  Island  opened  one  of  their  hottest  fires  upon 
the  flank,  occasioning  some  casualties  to  our  men.  The  firing,  how 
ever,  gradually  ceased.  Private  Riley  Patterson,  of  Company  J), 
received  a  concussion,  from  a  cannon  ball  striking  his  musket  in  his 
hands,  from  which  he  died  soon  after. 

The  night  proved  one  of  the  stormiest  ever  experienced.  The 
rain  poured  down  in  torrents.  The  patience  and  endurance  of  the 
men  was  tried  to  the  utmost,  but  no  complaint  was  made  by  any. 

About  one  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  fourth  parallel  a  sand 
ridge1  crossed  the  island,  behind  which  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters 
also  found  safe  shelter,  and  prevented  further  extension  of  the  sap 
by  the  engineers  and  miners.  To  secure  and  hold  the  ridge  became 
the  next  step.  An  assault  was  determined  upon,  for  the  night  of 
the  26th,  when  the  24th  Mass.,  under  Col.  Francis  A.  Osborn, 
made  a  successful  charge  upon  the  position,  with  the  bayonet, 
killing  and  wounding  about  a  dozen  of  the  enemy  and  capturin^ 
the  entire  force,  numbering  twro  lieutenants  and  seventy-one  men,  all 
of  the  61st  N.  C  The  movement  was  supported  by  the  97th  P. 
V.,  which  moved  up  and  occupied  the  line  from  which  the  24th 
Mass,  advanced.  At  the  first  alarm,  the  enemy's  guns  opened  a 
brisk  fire,  which  killed  1st  Lieut.  James  A.  Perkins,  of  the  24th 
Mass.,  and  two  men  of  Company  I,  and  wounded  eight  others  of 
that  regiment.  Shovels  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  prisoners, 
who  were  compelled  to  dig  to  protect  themselves  from  the  fire  of 
their  own  men.  Upon  gaining  this  important  point,  work  was  at 
once  commenced  upon  the  fifth  parallel  within  two  hundred  yards 
of  Fort  Wagner,  under  direction  of  Capt.  Joseph  Walker,  of  the 
1st  X.  Y.  Engineers,  who,  as  soon  as  the  work  upon  the  fifth 
parallel  was  fairly  under  way,  started  a  flying  sap  toward  Fort 
Wagner,  and  advanced  it  nearly  seventy-five  yards  before  daylight, 
under  a  hot  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  During  the  pro«ress  of 
this  work,  the  sappers  found  several  torpedoes  which  the  enemy 
had  planted  in  front  of  Fort  Wagner.  One  of  them  becomin"-  de 
tached,  fell  into  the  sap,  and  exploded  within  a  few  feet  of  Capt. 
Walker,  burying  him  in  the  sand  to  the  waist.  He  was  stunned 
by  the  concussion  for  a  few  minutes,  but  was  not  otherwise  injured. 
Ten  of  these  infernal  machines  were  discovered.  One  or  two  ex 
ploded  without  doing  any  injury.  They  were  in  shape  double 
cones,  joined  at  the  base,  formed  of  sheet  iron  and  containing  forty 
or  fifty  pounds  of  powder,  designed  to  explode  by  pressure  upon  a 


192  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

plunger  with  percussion  cap,  so  adjusted  as  to  be  sprung  by  a  step 
upon  a  small  board  or  other  hard  substance,  at  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  in  contact  with  the  plunger.  Mortars  from  the  rear  bat 
teries  were  now  moved  forward  to  the  fifth  parallel  and  placed  in 
position.  Beyond  this  point,  the  approaches  were  simply  zigzag, 
making  very  sharp  angles,  the  ground  being  insufficient  for  opening- 
other  parallels.  The  island,  at  this  point,  being  only  twenty-five 
yards  wide,  at  high  water  mark,  and  only  two  feet  above  it,  the 
high  tides  swept  across  in  rough  weather  to  the  marsh  beyond. 

From  the  time  that  the  large  two-lmndred-pounder  siege  guns  had 
been  placed  in  position,  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  had  been 
constantly  maintained  from  sunrise  until  sunset  each  day,  while  the 
work  upon  the  approaches  to  Fort  Wagner  also  progressed  steadily. 
The  effect  of  the  heavy  shot  and  shell  upon  the  walls  of  Fort  Sum 
ter,  as  already  stated,  began  to  be  apparent  after  the  first  few  days ; 
gradually  the  arches  of  the  casemates  became  visible  as  the  outer 
wall  crumbled  away  before  the  accurate  range  of  the  heavy  guns. 
The  breaches  were,  however,  filled  at  night  with  sand-bags  by  the 
enemy. 

The  effect  of  the  firing  was  watched  with  great  interest  by  the 
officers  and  men  upon  guard  duty  in  the  trenches  on  Morris  Island. 
By  the  aid  of  field  glasses,  the  shot  could  be  followed  from  the  gun 
on  its  way  until  it  was  lost  in  the  cloud  of  dust  caused  by  its  crash 
ing  against  the  sides  of  the  fort.  Several  of  the  heavy  siege  guns 
burst  with  terrible  effect  during  the  siege.  Many  were  killed  and 
wounded  and  many  narrow  escapes  occurred.  Upon  one  occasion 
the  97th  P.  V.  occupied  the  line  of  keeps,  in  rear  of  the  two  hun 
dred-pounder  batteries,  ready  for  defence  of  the  guns  and  the  advance 
working  parties  against  assault  from  the  fort.  The  keeps,  being 
arranged  in  successive  parallels,  within  a  few  yards  of  each  other, 
afforded  shelter  for  two  companies  each.  About  noon,  the  gun  on 
the  left  flank  of  the  battery  exploded,  killing  one  and  wounding 
several  of  the  men  who  were  working  it.  The  immense  breech  of 
the  gun  was  hurled  backward,  just  grazing  over  the  crests  of  the 
keeps,  crushing  in  the  fourth  and  falling  close  to  the  fifth  keep. 
Capt.  Price,  commanding  Eegiment,  had  left  the  fourth  keep  a  few 
minutes  before  it  was  crushed  in  at  the  spot  occupied  as  the  regi 
mental  head-quarters.  It  so  happened  that  the  men  were  a  few  feet 
apart,  but  did  not  entirely  escape  the  crash,  which  destroyed  several 
muskets.  A  number  of  men  were  buried  with  debris  of  the  keep. 


1863.] 


MOKRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE    OF   CHARLESTON. 


They  soon  scrambled  out,  happy  to  got  off  so  well.  Capt.  Price  had 
gone  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  field  officer  of  the  trenches,  Col. 
Louis  Bell,  and  was  standing  with  that  officer  upon  the  lookout, 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  battery,  observing  the  effect  of  the  firing. 
Both  were  struck  by  the  grains  of  unexploded  powder  thrown  off 
from  the  gun  by  the  explosive  force,  causing  a  severely  stinging  sensa 
tion.  They  hastened  to  the  spot  to  ascertain  the  injury  to  the  men, 
and  to  render  assistance  to  the  wounded.  The  gun  carriage  and  for 
ward  part  of  the  gun  remained  in  position ;  the  huge  breech  had 


FORT   SU.MTKH   AFTKK   TIIK    BOMBARDMENT. 


taken  a  backward  career,  as  described,  while  around  the  gun  car 
riage  lay  three  wounded  men,  who  were  receiving  the  prompt  atten 
tion  of  their  comrades  who  escaped  unhurt. 

Upon  another  occasion,  the  Regiment  being  on  duty  at  the  front, 
near  the  guns  of  the  third  parallel  battery,  an  officer  and  several 
of  the  men  had  taken  position  on  the  right  flank  of  the  guns  to 
watch  the  effect  of  tbe  firing.  Being  called  to  supper,  the  summons 
was  immediately  obeyed.  Within  ten  minutes,  a  fearful  explosion 
was  heard  and  clouds  of  dense  smoke  told  of  another  gun  giving 
way  under  the  strain  of  incessant  firing.  The  officer  returned  to 
the  spot  he  had  just  left  to  find  the  whole  traverse  of  the  work, 
upon  whicb  he  and  his  men  were  lying  a  few  minutes  before,  cut 
away  by  the  immense  fragment  of  the  gun  that  had  been  thrown 
off  and  was  lying  just  beyond  deeply  buried  in  the  sand.  Two 
men  were  lying  beside  the  gun  carriage  fearfully  mangled;  one  was 
dead  and  the  other  could  not  live  beyond  a  few  hours  Poor 
13 


194  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

fellows !  only  a  few  moments  before,  their  voices  had  answered  to 
the  call  of  duty  as  they  passed  the  charge  into  the  deep-mouthed 
guns.  Both  were  silent  now  forever. 

These  incidents  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  yet  the  men  never 
flinched  from  duty  or  failed  to  stand  by  their  guns,  regardless  of 
all  consequence  or  danger. 

Upon  one  occasion  several  solid  shot  passed  through  the  walls  of 
the  parallels.  One  of  these  struck  the  bombproof  in  which  the  men 
of  Company  A  were  sheltered.  The  rifles  of  Sergt.  William  L.  Morris 
and  Private  B.  Frank  King  were  struck  by  a  splinter  and  the  stocks 
shattered.  The  waist-belt  plate  was  torn  from  Sergt.  Jervis  J.  Ru 
dolph's  body  without  injuring  him.  Upon  another  occasion,  four 
solid  shot  passed  through  a  sand-wall  shelter,  entering  close  to  men 
of  Companies  A,  C,  D  and  F,  without  doing  any  injury.  About 
the  same  time,  a  shell  cut  its  way  through  at  a  point  occupied  by 

Company  D.  Capt.  Price,  in  command 
of  the  Regiment,  was  sitting  against  the 
bank,  about  four  feet  from  one  of  the 
men.  The  shell  passed  between  them, 
burying  both  and  several  others  under 
the  sand-bags,  and  then  dropped  about 

A   KE6FECTFUL   SHELL.  tWent7   ^   ^    ^    *»*  ™d  W£IS    Aspect- 

fill  enough  not  to  explode  or  those  near 

it  would  have  fared  much  worse,  no  doubt. 

One  night,  after  the  usual  force  had  been  posted,  an  additional 
detail  reported  to  Col.  Guss,  commanding  brigade,  for  assignment 
to  duty.  The  line  was  to  be  advanced.  His  staff  officers  not  having 
returned  from  posting  other  details,  Col.  Guss  went  to  the  front 
with  this  himself.  The  night  was  very  dark.  The  force  had  not 
advanced  very  far  before  the  enemy's  pickets  opened  on  them, 
killing  and  wounding  several  of  the  men  before  they  could  find 
cover.  One  was  killed  behind  the  colonel  and  others  were  wounded 
on  each  side  of  him.  He  had  a  very  narrow  escape. 

On  August  25,  the  85th  P.  V.  relieved  the  97th  P.  V.  at  the  front. 
During  the  next  day,  the  enemy  fired  less  than  usual,  but  toward 
evening  a  most  extraordinary  result  was  occasioned  by  one  of  their 
mortar  shells,  fired  from  James  Island,  which  fell  and  exploded  in 
one  of  the  parallels  where  nine  soldiers  of  the  85th  P.  V.  had  col 
lected  and  were  sitting  in  a  close  group.  Seven  were  killed  in 
stantly;  the  two  others  so  badly  wounded  that  they  died  in  a  short 


1863-]  MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  195 

time.  Parts  of  their  bodies,  clothing,  equipments  and  broken  guns 
were  scattered  in  all  directions.  Another  account  of  this  affair 
stated  that  the  shell  struck  the  head  from  a  man  lying  asleep  in 
the  trench,  entered  the  ground  without  exploding,  and  that  the 
others  ran  up  to  their  comrade,  thinking  he  had  been  killed  by 
a  solid  shot;  almost  immediately  the  shell  exploded  with  the  above 
result. 

On  August  31,  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  A.  Purvianee,  85th  P.  V.,  was 
killed  in  the  trenches,  before  Fort  Wagner,  by  the  premature  ex 
plosion  of  a  shell  fired  from  one  of  our  own  batteries.  This  loss 
was  greatly  deplored,  as  he  was  a  most  excellent  officer  and  greatly 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  The  97th  P.  V.  was  at  the  front  in 
the  trenches  at  the  time,  supporting  the  battery.  The  lines  were  so 
near  to  each  other  that  hand  grenades  were  thrown  by  the  enemy 
into  the  trenches  to  drive  us  from  them.  Many  were  killed  and 
wounded  from  time  to  time,  but  each  man  remained  at  his  post  of 
duty  unflinchingly. 

While  the  Regiment  was  at  Morris  Island,  the  Central  Aid  So 
ciety,  of  West  Chester,  contributed  largely  to  the  needs  of  the  nu 
merous  sick,  for  which  it  received  the  thanks  of  all,  coming  at  a  time 
when  especially  needed.  The  sick  list  was  largely  on  the  increase, 
owing  to  the  excessive  heat  and  the  arduous  nature  of  the  almost 
constant  service  in  the  trenches,  The  best  sanitary  observances  to 
promote  the  health  of  the  men,  thorough  discipline,  cleanliness,  etc., 
were  strictly  enforced.  Yet  only  those  who  have  realized  what  it  is 
to  be  kept  closely  confined,  day  and  night,  in  a  narrow,  wet  ditch, 
with  the  mercury  ranging  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  degrees,  constantly  subject  to  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy, 
while  toiling  with  shovels  for  hours  together,  can  fully  appreciate 
the  reason  why  men  could  not  remain  strong  and  well  and  always 
Jit  for  duty. 

About  the  end  of  August,  Lieut.  Col.  Augustus  C.  Hamlin,  U.  S. 
A.,  medical  inspector  of  the  department,  made  a  tour  of  the  camps 
upon  Morris  Island,  making  a  careful  inspection.  His  report  stated 
that  "Unless  Fort  Wagner  should  soon  fall,  the  troops  would  not 
be  in  a  condition  to  longer  prosecute  the  siege,  and  that  a  third  as- 
siult  would  be  more  economical  of  life  than  the  continuance  of  ope 
rations  for  any  length  of  time  with  present  losses." 

During  the  siege  on  Morris  Island,  a  general  court-martial  was 
convened  by  Special  Order  No.  15,  from  Gen.  Terry's  head-quarters, 


196  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

for  the  trial  of  such  urgent  cases  as  might  be  brought  before  it.     Of 
this  court,  Brig.  Gen.  T.  G.  Stevenson  was  President. 

Capt.  I.  Price,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  detailed  as  a  member. 
The  officers  detailed  were  notified  that  they  were  excused  from 
attendance  at  the  court,  when  their  regiments  should  be  on  duty  at 
the  front.  The  court  continued  its  sessions  each  day  with  such 
officers  as  were  not  on  duty  at  the  trenches. 

During  August,  three  men  of  the  regiment  were  discharged  011 
surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  four  men  died  of  disease,  and  two 
were  killed.  The  weather  was  excessively  hot  in  the  daytime, 
while  at  night  a  cool  breeze  generally  set  in  from  the  sea.  A  large 
number  of  men  were  sick  in  the  different  commands. 

Of  the  discharged  men,  Privates  William  S.  Renshaw,  of  Com 
pany  B,  and  Edward  R.  Showalter,  of  Company  C,  being  excessively 
prostrated,  by  chronic  diarrhoea,  and  helpless,  two  men  of  the  Regi 
ment  were  detailed  to  accompany  them  to  the  transports,  and,  being 
furnished  with  passes  for  the  purpose,  were  directed  to  remain  with 
them  as  long  as  possible,  in  order  to  see  them  safely  reshipped  and 
started  north.  The  commander  of  the  Regiment  also  personally 
assisted  in  getting  them  started  in  the  ambulances,  to  see  that  they 
had  every  advantage  of  favorable  influences  and  to  encourage  them 
to  keep  up  their  spirits  with  the  hope  of  a  speedy  return  to  home 
and  friends.  But,  alas!  these  influences  were  destined  to  follow 
them  but  a  little  way.  The  men  appointed  to  accompany  them 
were  riot  allowed  to  remain  upon  the  hospital  boat,  and  were  rudely 
thrust  from  it  while  endeavoring  to  secure  the  comfort  of  their 
comrades.  These  had  to  take  their  chances  with  the  hundreds 
crowded  upon  the  steamer.  There  being  an  entirely  inadequate 
number  of  attendants,  those  most  debilitated,  of  course,  suffered 
most.  Of  their  sufferings  and  privations  there  has  come  no  voice 
to  tell.  They  were  never  heard  of  alive  again  nor  has  there  a  trace 
of  them  or  their  effects,  papers,  etc.,  been  recovered.  They  rest  in 
the  silence  of  unknown  graves  and  their  mourning  friends  are  de 
nied  the  sad  consolation  of  knowing  the  places  of  their  burial.  It 
was  reported  that  they  both  died  at  Beaufort,  and  were  there  buried, 
but  no  authenticated  confirmation  of  the  report  could  be  obtained. 
Every  effort  has  been  made,  both  by  their  families  and  by  the  offi 
cers  of  the  Regiment,  to  obtain  some  accurate  information  con 
cerning  them,  but  without  success.  An  indefinite  report,  by  a 
member  of  the  Regiment,  to  the  effect  that  Showalter's  grave  was 


MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  197 

seen  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  with  the  date  of  death,  September  9,  1863, 
is  the  only  information  that  gives  any  clue  to  the  sad  certainty  that 
they  died  without  a  friend  near  to  minister  to  their  comfort,  or  to 
receive  and  convey  the  last  message  of  love*  to  their  dear  ones. 
Nor  is  the  fear  that  they  were  robbed  of  their  valuables  and  papers 
altogether  unfounded,  when  it  is  known  that  nothing  was  ever 
forwarded  to  their  Regiment  or  friends,  the  address  of  both  of  which 
were  obtainable  from  the  discharge  and  other  papers  upon  their 
persons. 

The  Regiment  being  at  the  front,  on  duty  in  the  trenches,  on 
September  1,  Privates  Joseph  Ray  and  Thomas  Mclntosh,  of  Com 
pany  G,  were  wounded  slightly,  both  in  the  head;  the  latter  in 
the  forehead. 

On  September  2,  the  97th  P.  V.  moved  its  camp  to  join  the  other 
regiments  of  Col.  Guss'  brigade,  near  the  signal  station.  On  the 
evening  of  the  2d,  the  Regiment  went  to  the  front  and  occupied  the 
fourth  parallel,  Companies  A  and  F  being  advanced  to  the  firth 
parallel,  the  extreme  front.  The  rebels  threw  grape  and  canister 
from  Fort  Wagner,  and  shell  from  the  James  Island  batteries,  and 
cohorn  mortar  shells  from  the  lines  near  Fort  Wagner,  the  near  ap 
proach  of  the  last  sap  lines  causing  them  to  feel  that  their  works 
were  in  imminent  danger. 

Private  George  W.  Cook,  of  Company  F,  was  killed  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  3d,  by  a  shell  from  Fort  Wagner.  Several  others 
were  slightly  wounded,  and  Private  Harman  B.  Cloud,  of  Company 
D,  in  the  shoulder,  severely.  On  the  night  of  the  5th,  the  Regi 
ment  was  again  on  duty  in  the  fifth  parallel,  returning  in  the  morn 
ing  to  the  shelter  of  the  bombproofs,  near  the  two-hundred-pounder 
batteries.  The  approaches  had  by  this  time  reached  so  near  Fort 
Wagner  that  the  sand  of  the  last  embankment,  for  the  seventh 
parallel,  as  the  men  threw  it  up,  slid  into  the  moat  that  bordered 
the  fort. 

During  this  tour  of  duty,  on  the  5th,  Corp.  John  O'Brien,  of 
Company  E,  received  a  shell  wound  in  left  hip,  and  Private  Patrick 
Grant,  of  Company  E,  was  also  slightly  wounded  in  the  leg. 

On  the  evening  of  September  6,  the  brigade  was  inspected  by 
Capt.  Richard  H.  Jackson,  1st  U.  S.  Art'y,  Insp.  Gen.  of  Dep't, 
and  reviewed  on  the  beach  by  Col.  Guss  and  staff.  The  97th  P.  V. 
occupied  the  right  of  the  line. 

Lieut.  Lemaistre,  of  Company  II,  who  had  received  a  sick  leave 


198  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

of  absence,  about  the  middle  of  July,  rejoined  the  Regiment  on  the 
6th,  fully  restored  to  health  and  resumed  command  of  his  company. 
The  land  and  naval  batteries  had  kept  up  a  constant  fire  upon 
Fort  Wagner,  during  September  5  and  6.  The  heavy  siege  guns 
on  Morris  Island  also  directed  a  constant  fire  upon  the  walls  of  Fort 
Sumter  each  day  since  they  were  mounted,  the  heavy  masses  of 
metal  thrown  against  it  by  the  siege  guns  and  the  fleet,  operating 
steadily  and  surely  to  the  ultimate  destruction  of  the  solid  masonry. 
The  enemy,  however,  continued  to  build  up  the  breaches  during 
the  night  with  sand-bags.  Having  completed  his  approaches  to 
Fort  Wagner,  Gen.  Gillmore,  on  the  evening  of  September  6,  as 
sembled,  at  Gen.  Terry's  head-quarters,  the  brigade  and  regimental 
commanders,  in  order  to  give  personal  instructions  to  each  officer, 
explain  the  position  his  command  would  occupy  in  the  assault,  to 
be  made  the  next  morning,  and  the  duty  expected  of  each: 

I.  The  troops  were  to  march  to  the  trenches  at  1  A.  M.  and  to 
occupy  the  immediate  front,  closing  well  up  in  the  trenches,  so  as 
to  have  the  whole  force  as  near  as  possible  to  the  fort. 

II.  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade  was  to  be  ready  to  advance  by  the 
beach,  to  the  right,  at  the  signal,  having  axemen  prepared  to  cut 
away  the  palisades,  then  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  fort  and,  from  the 
crest  of  that   side,  aid  in  keeping  the  rebels  in  their  bombproof 
shelter,  to  which  the  naval  and  land  batteries,  by  a  continued  fire 
up  to  the  moment  of  the  assault,  should  drive  them. 

III.  To   Col.  Guss'  brigade,  the   1st,  was   assigned   the  assault 
upon  the  main  front  of  Fort  Wagner.     The  97th  P.  V.  to  lead  the 
advance,  to  gain  the  crest  of  the  fort,  over  the  bombproof,  and  from 
that  position  to  open  fire  upon   the  entrances  to  the  bombproof 
shelter  to  keep  the  enemy  from  getting  out. 

IV.  Col.  W.  W.  H.  Davis'  brigade  was  to  advance  upon  the  left, 
to  turn  the  flank  of  the  works  on  the  side  toward  James  Island. 

V.  The  fire  of  the  gunboats  and  batteries  was  to  open  at  daylight 
and  continue  without  cessation  until  9  A.  M.,  when  it  was  to  cease 
the  instant  a  red  signal  flag  should  be  run  up  on  the  earthworks  at 
the  front,  an  instantaneous  advance  of  the  entire  force  to  be  made, 
in  accordance  with  these  orders,  so  as  to  secure  a  footing  upon  the 
crest  of  the  fort  before  any  large  number  of  the  enemy  could  get 
out  from  the  shelter. 

At  the  hour  appointed,  the  troops  had  marched  to  the  front  and 
were  quietly  closing  up  in  the  trenches.     The  newly  risen  moon 


L868.] 


MORRIS   ISLAND.       SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON. 


199 


KORT  WAGNER,  SEA  FRONT. 


cast  just  enough  light  to 
make  the  scene  impressive 
as  the  silently  moving 
masses  of  troops  filed  into 
their  places.  A  report  was 
soon  passed  from  the  right 
that  the  rebels  had  evac 
uated  the  fort  Two  men 

now  volunteered  to  reconnoitre.  They  crossed  the  moat  in  safety, 
mounted  the  crest  and  found  the  place  deserted.  Gen.  Terry  then 
ordered  an  immediate  advance  upon  Fort  Gregg,  in  the  order  pre 
viously  indicated  for  Fort  Wagner.  The  Regiment  marched  in 
column  by  division:  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade  on  the  right,  Col. 
Guss'  in  the  centre  and  Col.  Davis'  on  the  left,  with  a  line  of 
skirmishers  in  the  advance.  The  distance  to  I?ort  Gregg,  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile,  was  soon  passed,  each  moment  expecting  to  meet 
the  crash  of  iron  hail  from  the  enemy,  behind  the  lines  of  his  last 
defence  on  the  island,  but  the  advance  was  unchecked.  The 
skirmishers  scaled  the  earthworks  and  the  leading  regiments  planted 
their  colors  on  the  walls  of  Fort  Gregg.  A  few  straggling  prisoners 
were  captured  and  a  boat  with  fifty  or  sixty  rebels  was  intercepted 
by  a  force  sent  through  Lighthouse  Creek  to  be  in  readiness  for  any 
attempt  to  escape  after  the  assault.  A  few  horses  of  little  value 
had  also  been  left  behind. 

Before  daylight,  the  troops  were  ordered  to  retire  to  the  camp, 
leaving  a  sufficient  force  to  garrison  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg.  The 
engineers  set  immediately  to  work  to  reverse  the  fronts  of  those 
works,  fatigue  parties  being  detailed  to  complete  the  work  without 
delay. 

The  condition  of  the  bombproofs,  in  and  around  the  forts,  were 
wretchedly  filthy  and  noisome  in  the  extreme.  Unburied  and  half- 
buried  soldiers  were  lying  in,  and  in  rear  of  Fort  Wagner,  it  being 
evident  that  the  fire  of  the  bombardment  had  been  effective  also  in 
preventing  the  men  leaving  their  shelter,  for  any  purpose,  while  it 
lasted.  The  accumulation  of  filth  rendering  the  place  most  offen 
sive,  the  shelters  had  to  undergo  a  thorough  cleansing  before  the 
men  would  remain  in  them,  preferring  to  risk  the  shot  and  shell 
of  the  enemy  rather  than  endure  their  filth. 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  Belgian  rifles  left  in  Fort  Wagner. 
One  large  siege  gun  was  dismounted;  several  smaller  ones,  a  few 


200  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

howitzers  and  cohorn  mortars  were  uninjured,  No  ammunition, 
and  but  a  small  amount  of  stores  of  any  kind  were  found. 

The  ground,  in  front  of  the  approaches  to  the  works,  was  thickly 
planted  with  torpedoes,  from  which  several  casualties  occurred  before 
the  men  could  be  prevented  from  passing  over  them.  A  guard 
was  set  to  keep  the  men  from  that  part  of  the  ground,  and  de 
tails  set  to  work  to  take  them  up.  It  was  found  that  the  outer 
edge  of  the  moat,  at  Fort  Wagner,  was  hedged  by  a  row  of 
lances  and  spears,  with  long  hickory  handles,  set  firmly  in  the  bank 
close  together,  forming  chevaux-de-frise  of  hooks  and  blades  of 
steel.  The  material,  light  and  strong,  in  the  darkness  was  hardly 
perceptible,  but  impossible  to  pass  without  being  impaled  upon  the 
points,  if  the  men  had  jumped  down  the  sides  of  the  moat,  the 
bottom  of  which  was  also  covered  with  planks,  into  which  long 
sharp  spikes  had  b'een  driven,  leaving  the  points  standing  up  two  or 
three  inches,  to  pierce  the  feet  of  the  men  attempting  to  cross  the 
ditch.  These  were  the  most  devilish  contrivances  ever  set  around 
a  fort  as  a  military  defence. 

The  rebels  opened  fire  upon  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg  as  soon  as  it 
was  light  enough  for  them  to  see  that  our  troops  were  in  possession, 
and  maintained  the  fire  during  the  day  from  Forts  Johnson,  Sumter 
and  Moultrie. 

On  the  evening  of  September  10,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  detailed  to 
occupy  the  lines  at  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  Capt.  I.  Price  being 
designated  as  field  officer  of  the  trenches,  having  been  placed  on 
the  roster  of  officers  in  command  of  regiments,  from  which  these 
details  were  made,  in  consequence  of  the  limited  number  of  general 
officers  present,  requiring  the  officers  in  actual  command  of  regi 
ments  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  brigade  commander.  The  follow 
ing  communication,  from  the  acting  assistant  adjutant  general 
making  the  detail,  may  serve  to  show  the  exigencies  of  the  service 
at  that  time: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  IST  BRIGADE,  MORRIS  ISLAND,  Sept.  10,  1863. 
CAPTAIN  : 

Pursuant  to  instructions  from  post  head-quarters,  I  have  the 
honor  to  announce  you  as  Field  Officer  of  the  Trenches  for  to-night. 
Your  details  come  from  the  97th  P.  V.,  9th  Maine,  3d  N.  H.  and 
4th  N.  H.,  in  all  eight  hundred  men.  You  are  compelled  to  go  on, 
for  the  reason  that  there  is  no  field  officer  for  duty  in  this  brigade, 


MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON. 

except  Maj.  Pcnnypacker,  who  is  certainly  not  fit  (on  account  of 
illness).  1  know  you  have  been  worked  hard,  but  you  are  a  staunch 
old  "TFar  Horse,"  and  "Everybody  knows  it." 

You  can  have  my  horse,  provided  you  don't  permit  the  rebels  to 
kill  him. 

Very  hastily,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  CARRUTHERS,  A.  A.  A.  General. 

While  posting  the  forces,  at  Fort  Wagner,  at  dusk,  a  boat  was 
observed  in  the  channel,  near  the  western  end  of  the  fort.  Capt. 
Price  directed  Sergt.  Beaver,  of  his  company,  whom  he  had  just 
placed  in  charge  of  the  guard  stationed  there,  to  hail  the  boat  and 
ascertain  its  purpose.  Some  one  in  it  answered,  giving  the  counter 
sign  in  a  loud  call  that  might  be  heard  a  considerable  distance  on 
the  side  occupied  by  the  enemy.  The  boat  was  peremptorily  ordered 
ashore.  Capt.  Price  having  to  continue  with  the  forces  being  posted 
along  the  line,  directed  the  sergeant  to  enforce  the  order,  if  neces 
sary,  by  firing  across  the  bow  of  the  boat  if  there  was  any  attempt 
to  disregard  the  order;  to  fire  into  it  if  it  should  attempt  to 
escape;  to  arrest  the  person  giving  the  countersign  improperly, 
and  to  hold  him  until  his  return,  permitting  the  boat  to  pro 
ceed  in  charge  of  the  remaining  persons  with  it,  if  their  purpose 
should  be  found  to  be  duly  authorized.  Before  proceeding  further, 
Capt.  Price  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  telegraph  to  Gen. 
Terry,  from  Fort  Wagner,  stating  what  had  occurred,  supposing  it 
quite  possible  that  the  person  whose  arrest  he  had  ordered  might 
outrank  him  and  prove  a  formidable  prisoner  on  his  hands.  Upon 
returning  to  Fort  Wagner,  two  hours  later,  he  was  somewhat  re 
lieved  and  gratified  in  finding  the  following  telegram  from  Gen. 
Terry : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  Sept.  10,  1863. 
CAPT.  PRICE: 

Your  prompt  and  decided  action  has  my  full  approbation.  You 
will  keep  the  officer  mentioned  under  arrest  until  morning,  and  then 
send  him  here. 

By  signal  telegraph,  GEN.  TERRY. 

The  prisoner  under  guard  was  ascertained  to  be  a  sergeant  of 
the  10th  Conn  ,  in  charge  of  a  picket  boat,  who  had,  without  re- 


202  HISTORY    OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

flection,  improperly  used  the  countersign,  as  the  answer,  when 
hailed,  instead  of  more  quietly  giving  his  name,  rank  and  object, 
or,  as  is  usual,  coming  ashore  at  the  challenge  of  the  guard.  He 
was  considerably  alarmed  at  finding  himself  in  custody,  and  was 
painfully  conscious  of  the  error  he  had  thoughtlessly  made,  and 
anxious  as  to  the  consequences.  Feeling  sorry  that  an  apparently 
good  soldier  should  be  dealt  with  summarily  for  his  thoughtless 
offence,  Capt.  Price,  when  sending  him  to  Gen.  Terry's  head 
quarters,  sent  a  note  to  that  officer,  giving  a  more  full  explanation 
of  the  circumstances,  as  favorably  stated  as  possible,  and  asking 
that  he  be  dealt  with  as  leniently  as  the  case  would  permit.  Also, 
when  reporting  to  Gen.  Terry,  the  next  day,  when  being  relieved 
from  duty,  he  again  made  the  same  request.  The  sergeant,  after  an 
admonition  to  be  more  careful  in  the  future,  was,  in  a  short  time, 
released  from  custody,  and  returned  to  duty  more  fully  impressed 
with  the  gravity  of  his  incautiousness  than  he  would  have  been  by 
any  more  harsh  or  severe  punishment. 

Companies  A,  F,  D,  I,  H  and  G,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  occupied 
Fort  Gregg,  under  command  of  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss.  Companies  B, 
C,  E  and  K  held  Fort  "Wagner  and  the  line  of  pickets  between 
the  forts,  under  command  of  Capt.  McConnell,  of  Company  E. 

The  rebels  shelled  the  position  during  the  evening  most  vigor 
ously.  Soon  after  the  guards  were  posted  in  Fort  Wagner,  Private 
David  H.  Gunkle,  of  Company  C,  was  mortally  wounded  by  a  shell 
from  Fort  Johnson,  a  fragment  crushing  the  left  shoulder  and  enter 
ing  the  left  groin,  fracturing  the  thigh,  being  in  a  sitting  posture 
when  struck.  He  died  soon  after  reaching  the  hospital,  at  about 
12  o'clock,  midnight.  Private  Jacob  B.  Talbot,  of  Company  A, 
was  also  wounded,  on  the  same  evening,  at  Fort  Gregg,  by  a  frag 
ment  of  a  shell,  in  the  fleshy  part  of  the  left  hip.  He  was  sent  to 
the  regimental  hospital.  He  recovered  and  returned  to  his  com 
pany  in  about  two  months.  The  Regiment  was  relieved  from  duty 
at  the  front  at  7.30  P.  M.,  on  the  llth,  and  returned  to  camp  for 
a  short  period  of  rest. 

On  September  12,  the  Regiment  was  inspected,  on  the  beach,  by 
Capt.  George  F.  Towle,  4th  N.  H.  Vols.,  brigade  inspector,  on  the 
staff  of  Col.  Guss. 

On  the  same  date,  orders  were  issued,  from  department  head 
quarters,  for  two  per  cent,  of  the  troops  to  have  furloughs  granted 
for  thirty  days,  the  men  selected  to  be  those  recommended  on  ac- 


1863-J  MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  203 

count  of  distinguished  and  meritorious  services  during  the  siege  and 
who  had  been  present  in  action  with  their  commands.  In  many 
instances,  it  was  a  difficult  matter  to  determine  the  most  deserving 
where  all  had  served  so  faithfully.  The  selections,  however,  gene 
rally  met  the  approval  of  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Regiment.  It  is 
regretted  that  no  list  of  the  names  of  the  men  who  received  these 
furloughs  has  been  preserved. 

Sergt.  Richard  B.  Moore,  of  Company  C,  was  at  this  time  de 
tailed  to  act  as  commissary  sergeant  of  the  Regiment  during  the 
absence  of  Com.  Sergt.  Thomas  McKay,  who  had  received  a  fur 
lough  for  thirty  days. 

During  the  remainder  of  September,  the  Regiment  was  continu 
ally  upon  duty  at  the  front,  under  fire,  either  upon  picket  or  fatigue 
work  upon  the  new  batteries.  The  weather  was  mostly  quite 
stormy  and  disagreeable,  on  account  of  the  cold  eastern  wind.  The 
equinoctial  gales  prostrated  the  tents,  rendering  the  camp  dilapi 
dated  and  comfortless;  the  efforts  of  the  men  to  restore  them  to 
order  were  often  frustrated  by  the  loose  sand  affording  insufficient 
hold  for  the  tent  pins  with  such  a  gale  tugging  at  the  cords.  The 
sand  was  drifted  about  like  ridges  of  snow. 

Brig.  Gen.  T.  G.  Stevenson,  in  whose  brigade  the  97th  P.  V. 
served  during  a  portion  of  this  campaign,  being  prostrated  by  chills 
and  fever,  about  September  14,  received  a  leave  of  absence  for  a 
short  time.  He  subsequently  returned  to  the  department  and  con 
tinued  upon  duty  until  the  beginning  of  1864,  when  he  was  ordered 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  a  di 
vision  in  Gen.  Burnside's  corps,  with  which  he  served  with  distin 
guished  gallantry  in  several  important  actions  and  was  killed,  in 
action,  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va.,  on  May  10,  1864.  Gen. 
Stevenson  was  the  first  colonel  of  the  24th  Mass.,  having  recruited 
and  organized  that  regiment  in  September,  1861,  and  was  pro 
moted  to  brigadier  general,  U.  S.  Vols,  March  14,  1863.  He  was 
a  man  of  great  earnestness  of  character  and  action,  of  fine  culture 
and  generous  nature,  an  accomplished  officer,  devoted  to  the  service 
of  his  country,  which,  by  his  death,  lost  one  of  its  most  efficient  de 
fenders. 

Soon  after  the  occupation  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  Gen. 
Gillmore  issued  the  following  complimentary  order  to  his  troops  en 
gaged  in  the  arduous  duties  that  secured  this  unparalleled  advance 
in  siege  operations : 


204  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT.       [September, 

DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  SOUTH,  HEAD-QUARTERS  IN  THE  FIELD, 

MORRIS  ISLAND,  S.  C.,  September  15,  1863. 
General  Orders : 

It  is  with  no  ordinary  feeling  of  gratification  and  pride  that  the  Brigadier 
General  Commanding  is  enabled  to  congratulate  this  Army  upon  the  signal 
success  which  has  crowned  the  enterprise  in  which  it  has  been  engaged.  Fort 
Sumter  is  destroyed.  The  scene  where  our  country's  flag  suffered  its  first  dis 
honor  you  have  made  the  theatre  of  one  of  its  proudest  triumphs. 

The  fort  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy  for  more  than  two  years, 
has  been  his  pride  and  boast,  has  been  strengthened  by  every  appliance  known 
to  military  science,  and  has  defied  the  assaults  of  the  most  powerful  and  gallant 
fleet  the  world  ever  saw.  But  it  has  yielded  to  your  courage  and  patient  labor. 
Its  walls  are  now  crumbled  to  ruins,  its  formidable  batteries  are  silenced,  and, 
though  a  hostile  flag  still  floats  over  it,  the  fort  is  a  harmless  and  helpless 
wreck.* 

Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg — works  rendered  memorable  by  their  protracted 
resistance  and  the  sacrifice  of  life  they  have  cost — have  also  been  wrested  from 
the  enemy  by  your  persevering  courage  and  skill,  and  the  graves  of  your  fallen 
comrades  rescued  from  desecration  and  contumely. 

You  now  hold  in  undisputed  possession  the  whole  of  Morris  Island,  and  the 
city  and  harbor  of  Charleston  lie  at  the  mercy  of  your  artillery  from  the  very 
spot  where  the  first  shot  was  fired  at  your  country's  flag,  and  the  rebellion  itself 
was  inaugurated. 

To  you — the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  command — and  to  the  gallant  Navy 
which  has  co-operated  with  you,  are  due  the  thanks  of  your  Commander  and 
your  Country.  You  were  called  upon  to  encounter  untold  privations  and 
dangers;  to  undergo  unremitting  and  exhausting  labors;  to  sustain  severe  and 
disheartening  reverses.  How  nobly  your  patriotism  and  zeal  have  responded  to 
the  call  the  results  of  the  campaign  will  show,  and  your  commanding  general 
gratefully  bears  witness.  Q.  A.  GILLMORE, 

Official:  Brig.  Gen.  Commanding. 

ED.  W.  SMITH,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen. 

On  the  17th,  the  Regiment  reoccupied  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg 
and  the  adjacent  shore  lines  of  picket,  and  were  detailed  again  for 
the  same  service  on  the  19th.  The  enemy  kept  up  a  steady  fire 
upon  Fort  Wagner,  during  each  tour  of  duty. 

*  Fort  Sumter  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy  on  the  night  of  February  17, 
1865,  and  occupied  by  the  Union  forces  on  February  18.  The  national  flag  was 
again  unfurled  from  its  flagstaff  at  9  A.  M.,  on  that  day,  by  Maj.  I.  A.  Hennes 
sey,  by  order  of  the  commandant  of  Morris  Island,  and,  on  April  14,  1865,  the 
old  flag,  which  Maj.  Anderson  had  borne  away  when  he  surrendered  the  fort  to 
the  enemy,  was  again  flung  to  the  breeze  by  the  gallant  Gen.  Anderson,  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  number  of  official  personages,  army  officers  and  citizens. 
The  view  of  the  interior  of  the  fort,  given  on  the  opposite  page,  indicates  its  ap 
pearance  at  the  restoration  of  the  flag  by  Maj.  Gen.  Anderson,  in  1865. 


1863.] 


MORRIS    ISLAND.       SIEGE    OF    CHARLESTON. 


About  September  23,  Maj.  Pennypacker,  having  for  several  weeks 
been  entirely  unfit  for  duty,  on  account  of  illness,  received  a  leave 
of  absence  for  twenty  days,  it  being  bis  first  absence  from  the  Regi 
ment  since  entering  the  service.  Lieut.  S.  V.  Black,  of  Company 
K,  also  received  a  leave  of  absence,  on  account  of  sickness,  and  ac 
companied  Maj.  Pennypacker  to  Pennsylvania.  Lieut.  Col.  Duer 
received  a  sick  leave  of  absence  soon  after  and  returned  home  from 
St.  Helena,  and  rejoined  the  Regiment  after  an  absence  of  twenty- 
eight  days. 

On  September  24,  there  was  a  grand  review  of  all  the  troops,  on 
Morris  Island,  by  Maj.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore,  who  had  just  received 
promotion  for  his  successful  operations  on  Morris  Island,  in  honor 
of  which  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired  by  the  land  batteries. 
Twenty-two  regiments  passed  in  review,  beside  the  artillery  regi 
ments  and  batteries.  The  97th  P.  V.,  now  commanded  by  Capt. 
Price,  being  the  first  regiment  in  the  1st  brigade,  1st  division,  10th 
corps,  took  position,  at  8  A.  M.,  on  the  right  of  the  line,  upon 
the  beach,  opposite  the  camp  of  the  Regiment. 

Attended  by  his  brilliant  staff,  Gen.  Gillmore  appeared  after  the 
salute  had  been  fired  and  rode  down  the  line,  the  bands  playing, 


cF^^^^^ 

INTERIOR  OF  FORT  8CMTER. 


drums  rolling  and  colors  dipping,  the  entire  line  presenting  arms. 
The  troops  were  in  splendid  condition,  which  the  general  did  not 
fail  to  observe,  as  he  closely  inspected  the  ranks.  The  artillery 
attracted  especial  attention.  After  the  return  by  the  rear  rank,  the 
general  proceeded  to  a  position  opposite  the  centre,  when  Gen. 
Terry,  placing  himself  at  head  of  the  division,  gave  the  command 
to  form  column  by  companies.  The  troops  then  passed  in  review 
before  the  commanding  general,  preceded  by  the  bands  of  the  dif- 


206  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.       [September, 

ferent  brigades.  The  marching  was  excellent.  The  war-worn 
veterans  moved  in  even  front  and  steady  lines,  in  accurate  step, 
under  the  eye  of  their  general,  who  failed  not  to  bestow  his  ad 
miration  upon  their  proficiency  in  the  march,  as  well  as  the  valor 
he  had  already  proved  during  the  long,  arduous  and  successful 
siege. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  Regiment  was  detailed  for  fatigue  duty  at 
Fort  Gregg.  Rebels  shelled  the  men  incessantly,  both  in  Forts 
Wagner  and  Gregg.  One  shell  struck  a  gun  carriage  in  Fort 
Wagner  and  wounded  four  men.  Four  men  were  killed,  in  Fort 
Gregg,  during  the  previous  night,  by  a  shell  from  Fort  Moultrie. 
The  Regiment  returned  to  camp  at  5  P.  M. 

On  the  night  of  September  24,  apprehending  an  attack  from  the 
enemy,  in  boats  from  Charleston,  the  troops  in  camp  were  called  up 
at  2  A.  M.  and  required  to  stand  at  arms  until  daylight. 

On  September  25,  the  Regiment  again  occupied  Forts  Wagner 
and  Gregg,  and  the  shore  lines  during  the  night,  the  main  portion 
of  the  detail  returning  in  the  morning  to  the  keep,  near  the  siege 
guns,  for  shelter,  on  account  of  the  severe  shelling  from  the  rebel 
works. 

The  Regiment  was  paid,  on  the  26th,  by  Maj.  Wm.  M.  Babbitt, 
Paymaster  U.  S.  A.,  to  include  the  months  of  July  and  August, 
1863. 

The  Regiment  was  relieved  from  duty  in  the  trenches,  at  dusk 
on  the  26th,  and  again  went  to  the  front  on  the  28th,  remaining 
on  duty  till  the  evening  of  September  29,  which  was  the  last  time 
it  occupied  the  trenches  on  Morris  Island. 

During  the  siege,  from  July  17  to  October  1,  1863,  the  97th  P. 
V.  occupied  the  trenches  at  the  front,  and  performed  other  duty  on 
the  following  dates:  in  action  at  Fort  Wagner,  a  night  assault, 
July  18;  on  duty  in  the  trenches,  July  19,  24,  25,  27,  28,  August 
2,  3,  5,  6,  10,  11,  16,  17,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26,  27,  29,  30,  September 
2,  3,  4,  5;  September  7,  in  the  advance  upon  and  occupation  of 
Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg;  occupied  those  forts  and  other  advance 
post  on  September  10,  11,  16,  17,  19,  20,  22,  23,  25,  26,  28,  29; 
detailed  for  fatigue  duty,  July  20  (night),  21  (night),  23  (day),  26 
(night),  29  (night),  August  7  (day),  8  (night),  12  (night),  13  (night), 
16  (day),  17  (night)  by  all  the  men  not  on  duty  at  the  front,  19 
(day),  23  (day),  September  1  (night),  5,  forty  men,  (night),  13  (day), 
14  (day),  18  (night),  21  (night),  24  (day),  27  (day);  making  a 


1863-1  MORRIS   ISLAND.      SIEGE   OF   CHARLESTON.  207 

record  of  almost  continuous  service,  constantly  under  fire  from  the 
enemy's  guns,  both  at  the  front  and  in  camp,  where  shot  and  shell 
frequently  reached,  falling  in  close  proximity  to  the  lines  of  tents. 
During  August,  the  Regiment  was  off  duty  but  five  days,  and  during 
September  but  two  days,  an  experience  unprecedented  outside  the 
forces  on  duty  at  the  siege  of  Morris  Island. 

There  being  but  little  wood  on  Morris  Island,  great  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  obtaining  sufficient  to  cook  rations  for  the  troops. 
Wood  squads  from  the  companies  were  compelled  to  carry  all  the 
wood  used  from  one  to  two  miles,  there  being  no  teams  on  the  Island 
that  could  be  spared  from  the  siege  operations  for  the  purpose. 

When  the  men  occupied  the  trenches  at  the  front,  the  company 
cooks  at  each  meal  carried  the  kettles  of  coffee  and  soup  nearly 
two  miles.  Notwithstanding  the  exposure  being  much  greater  than 
in  the  trenches,  they  never  wavered  in  fidelity  to  their  hungry  com 
rades.  The  cooks'  brigade  was  eagerly  watched  as  it  came  and  went 
upon  its  perilous  errands,  the  target  of  rebel  shot  and  shell,  and 
toward  the  end  of  the  siege  of  sharp-shooters  also.  But  they  seemed 
to  possess  charmed  lives;  few  if  any  casualties  occurred  with  their 
many  narrow  escapes.  The  cooks  of  Morris  Island  were  far  from 
being  reckoned  among  the  cowards  by  their  comrades  in  the  trenches. 

Owing  to  the  ready  observance  of  orders  on  the  part  of  the  men 
of  the  Regiment,  and  to  the  attention  of  the  officers,  in  keeping  the 
men  from  unnecessarily  exposing  themselves  to  the  view  of  the 
enemy  while  in  the  trenches,  the  casualties  in  the  Regiment,  during 
the  siege,  were  less  frequent  than  in  most  other  regiments  occupy 
ing  the  same  ground,  though  the  shelling  from  the  enemy's  line  was 
as  constant. 

The  97th  P.  V.  had  frequently  occupied  the  line  during  a  tour  of 
duty  without  any  casualty,  while  the  regiment  relieved  had  lost  ten 
to  fifteen  in  killed  and  wounded,  the  number  of  shell  thrown 
being  the  same  by  actual  count.  The  difference  in  result  was 
attributable  entirely  to  the  fact  that  the  line  of  earthworks  was 
not  indicated  to  the  enemy  by  our  men  furnishing  targets  for  the 
range  of  their  guns. 

Owing  to  the  excessive  heat,  the  arduous  and  exposing  duty 
during  the  siege,  and  the  low,  damp  ground  through  which  the 
trenches  were  dug,  being  sometimes  filled  to  a  depth  of  eighteen 
inches  of  water,  at  high  tide,  many  of  the  men  were  prostrated  bv 
sickness,  chiefly  cases  of  intermittent  fever,  chills  and  diarrhoea. 


208  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

Three  enlisted  men  were  discharged  during  the  month,  for 
physical  disability,  viz.:  Sergt.  Patrick  Carter,  of  Company  E,  on 
the  13th;  Privates  Benjamin  Hughes,  of  Company  D,  and  Henry 
Carney,  of  Company  I,  both  on  the  27th.  The  following  men  died 
during  the  month  on  Morris  Island,  viz.:  Privates  Samuel  Hunter, 
of  Company  H,  on  the  4th,  of  chronic  diarrhoea;  William  C.  Shan 
non,  of  Company  F,  on  the  7th,  of  typhoid  fever;  Hugh  D.  Mews, 
of  Company  B,  on  the  llth,  of  typhoid  pneumonia;  Charles  K. 
Wentz,  of  Company  C,  on  the  18th;  4-aron  Phipps,  of  Company 
K,  on  the  26th;  both  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  and  Ovell  Chappell,  of 
Company  E,  on  the  29th,  of  chronic  dysentery.  They  were  all 
buried  on  Morris  Island,  near  the  ruins  of  the  lighthouse,  destroyed 
by  the  enemy,  their  graves  being  marked  with  the  name,  company 
and  regiment.  The  remains  of  Phipps  were  subsequently  removed 
by  his  friends  to  West  Chester  and  reinterred  in  the  Methodist 
Cemetery. 


18C31 


RETURN    TO   FERNANDINA. 


209 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FERNANDINA  AND  FORT  CLINCH;  CAPTURE  OF  CAMP  COOPER,  FLA.; 
EXPEDITION  TO  WOODSTOCK  AND  KING'S  FERRY  MILLS,  GA.;  RE- 
EXLISTMENT  OF  VETERANS;  THEIR  RETURN  ON  FURLOUGH ;  DE 
PARTURE  FROM  FERNANDINA;  OCTOBER  1,  1863,  TO  APRIL  25,  1864. 

<j  protracted  and  arduous  service  of  the  unprece- 
(l('llt('('  si<'.^(>  <»n  Morris  Island,  during  July,  August 
and  September,  1863,  had  so  prostrated  the  men  as 
to  render  rest  and  change  absolutely  essential  to 
restore  the  Regiment  to  its  usual  efficiency.  Orders 
were  issued,  about  October  1,  directing  the  97th 
P.  V.  to  proceed  to  Fernandina,  Fla.,  to  occupy 
that  city  and  garrison  Fort  Clinch.  Col.  Guss  was 
relieved  of  the  command  of  his  brigade  and  as- 
to  the  command  of  the  post  of  Fernandina.  Adjt.  II.  W. 
Carrutliers,  A.  A.  A.  General,  1st  brigade;  1st  Lieut.  David  Jones, 
quarter-master  97th  P.  V.,  post  quarter-master  at  Hilton  Head; 
Ass't  Surgeon  G.  W.  Miller,  on  duty  in  general  hospital,  at  Hilton 
Head,  and  such  other  officers  and  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  as  had 
been  detailed  on  detached  service  in  the  department,  were  relieved, 
by  special  order,  on  September  30,  and  directed  to  rejoin  their 
Regiment. 

The  camp,  on  Morris  Island,  was  broken  up  on  the  morning  of 
October  2.  The  tents  and  baggage  of  the  Regiment  were  conveyed 
to  the  beach,  at  Lighthouse  Inlet,  to  which  point  the  men  had 
inarched.  At  noon,  the  right  wing  of  the  Regiment  embarked  on 
the  Alice  Price  and  the  left  on  the  Emilie,  two  small  steam  trans 
ports.  The  sea  being  quite  rough,  the  vessels  lay  at  anchor  until 
next  morning.  At  11  o'clock,  they  set  out  for  Port  Royal.  Having 
a  smooth  sea,  reached  the  harbor  at  8.30  P.  M.,  and  anchored  off 
Hilton  Head.  The  next  morning,  the  Regiment  was  transferred  to 
the  steamer  Boston,  commanded  by  our  good  friend,  Capt.  J.  P. 
14 


210  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

Johnson,  unto  whose  care  all  were  glad  to  be  consigned  again.  At 
Hilton  Head,  Mr.  John  F.  Forrest,  sutler  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  rejoined 
the  Regiment  after  an  absence  of  nearly  three  months,  having  ar 
rived  a  few  days  previously  with  a  schooner  load  of  supplies  long 
needed  by  the  men. 

Capt.  George  R.  Guss,  the  colonel's  eldest  son,  also  met  the  Regi 
ment  at  Hilton  Head,  arriving  with  Mr.  Forrest,  on  a  visit  to  his 
father.  He  proceeded  first  to  Morris  Island  to  examine  the  siege 
operations  there,  and  subsequently  went  to  Fernandina  and  re 
mained  during  the  winter. 

The  Boston  sailed  for  Fernandina,  at  3.30  P.  M.,  on  the  4th, 
having  a  supply  schooner  in  tow.  Some  of  the  sick  were  left  in  the 
hospital,  at  Hilton  Head,  being  too  much  prostrated  to  bear  the 
transportation  on  shipboard.  The  steamer  arrived  off  the  bar,  op 
posite  Fort  Clinch,  at  7  A.  M.,  on  the  5th,  and,  entering  Amelia 
River,  came  to  anchor  opposite  the  town,  at  10  A.  M.,  soon  after 
which  the  Regiment  disembarked  at  the  wharf,  where  the  men  re 
mained  until  the  several  post  details  were  arranged. 

Col.  Guss  announced  his  arrival  to  Col.  H.  M.  Plaisted,  llth 
Maine,  commandant  of  the  post,  and  presented  the  order  directing 
him  to  relieve  Col.  Plaisted  and  his  regiment  from  duty  at  that 
post. 

The  following  paragraph,  in  reference  to  the  arrival  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  at  Fernandina,  appeared  in  the  editorial  column  of  the 
Peninsular,  published  weekly  at  that  place,  by  William  C.  Morrill, 
Esq.,  who  was  also  post  master  at  Fernandina: 

"  OUR  NEW  DEFENDERS.  The  97th  PenDsylvania,  Col.  Henry  R.  Guss,  com 
manding,  are  veterans  in  the  service  of  their  country  and  are  already  in  the  third 
year  of  the  period  of  their  enlistment.  They  have  made  a  record  of  which  they 
have  reason  to  be  proud.  They  have  been  in  this  department  nearly  two  years, 
and  for  the  last  three  months  have  been  stationed  at  Morris  Island,  where  the 
arduous  duties  they  have  had  to  perform  have  materially  lessened  the  health 
and  efficiency  of  the  men,  and  they  have,  in  consequence,  been  ordered  here  lo 
recruit.  It  is  a  sufficient  testimony  to  the  courage  and  ability  of  the  commanding 
officer,  that  he  was,  by  order  of  Gen.  Gillmore,  placed  in  charge  of  a  brigade 
while  there  and  participated  in  the  stirring  scenes  which  have  recently  been  en 
acted  there;  and  the  Regiment  could  have  had  no  higher  compliment  paid  it  than 
in  the  fact  that  it  was  selected,  by  Gen.  Terry,  to  lead  the  "forlorn  hope"  on  the 
night  of  the  final  assault,  on  Fort  Wagner,  when  it  was  found  that  the  enemy 
had  incontinently  decamped.  We  extend  a  hearty  welcome  to  Col.  Guss  and  bis 
brave  officers  and  men,  and  hope  that  their  stay  may  not  only  be  profitable  to 
them,  but  pleasant  and  agreeable  to  all  parties." 


1863.]  FERNANDINA.       ITS    ASPECT    AND    INHABITANTS.  211 

Col.  Plaisted's  command  had  been  on  duty,  at  Fernandina,  about 
four  months.  A  detachment  of  colored  troops  was  at  the  post,  en 
gaged  in  recruiting  the  1st  Fla.,  under  the  direction  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Milton  S.  Littleficld.  The  officer  in  command  of  the  detachment 
was  Capt.  Mahlon  E.  Davis,  of  Company  A,  1st  Fla.  His  company 
was  encamped  near  Fort  Plaisted,  at  the  southwest  border  of  the 
town.  This  force  was  not  engaged  in  any  duty  connected  with  the 
post. 

Since  Fernandina  was  first  occupied  by  the  Regiment,  in  March, 

1862,  there  had  many  changes  taken  place.     Some,  who  had  left 
it  when  evacuated  by  the  enemy,  had  since  returned.     A  number 
of  citizens  from  the  north   and  many  white   refugees  and  contra 
bands  had  arrived.     Most  of  the  handsome  residences,  with  finely 
cultivated. grounds,  were  now  despoiled  of  their  beauty  by  the  de 
solating   hand  of  war  laying  waste   the  work  of  years.      Soldiers 
had  occupied  the  spacious  parlors  and  chambers  where  the  chivalry 
were  wont  to  revel  and  repose.     Ragged  negro   children  climbed 
the  banisters  of  the  wide  stairways  and  crowded  the  piazzas  of  the 
palatial  structures,  erected  for  the  luxurious  abode  of  governors  and 
senators,  who  fled   from  their  splendid  homes  at  the  approach  of 
the  defenders  of  the  government  they,  also,  had  solemnly  sworn  to 
support.     Instead   of  welcoming   these   as   their   friends   and    pro 
tectors,  they   had    become    fugitives,  self-deprived    of  country  and 
home.     The  contrabands  were  in  charge  of  a  government  agent,  H. 
II.  Helper,  Esq.,  a  former  resident  of  North  Carolina,  a  most  active 
and  energetic   man,  to  whose  faithful  administration   and  care  of 
their  interests  the  colored  population  was  indebted  for  very  much 
that  tended  to  secure  for  them  the  occupation  of  houses  and  culti 
vation  of  the  lands,  which  enabled  them  to  subsist  and,  in  some 
instances,  to  accumulate  quite  considerable  gains.     In  all  questions, 
involving  these  varied  and  conflicting  interests,  he  was  advocate  for 
both  plaintiff  and  defendant,  and  judge  to  determine  and  enforce 
the  right,  which  he  did  with  a  justice  and  directness  that  secured 
for  him  the  confidence  of  the  entire  population. 

The  head-quarters  of  the  post,  occupied  by  Col.  Plaisted,  was  the 
house  of  ex-Senator  Yulee,  where  Col.  Guss  also  established  his 
head-quarters. 

Upon   taking  command  of  the  post  of  Fernandina,  October  5, 

1863,  Col.   Guss  announced   the   following  appointments:   provost 
marshal,  Capt.  Isaiah    Price,  of  Company  C;    post    adjutant   and 


212  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

acting  assistant  inspector  general,  1st  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Carruthers, 
adjutant  97th  P.  V.;  post  surgeon,  Maj.  John  R.  Everhart,  surgeon 
97th  P.  V.;  post  quarter-master,  1st  Lieut.  David  Jones,  quarter 
master  97th  P.  V.;  post  commissary,  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath, 
of  Company  E;  post  ordnance  officer,  1st  Lieut.  Gasway  O.  Yarnall, 
of  Company  G;  post  treasurer  and  in  charge  of  post  bakery,  1st 
Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles,  of  Company  B.  These  officers  nearly  all 
continued  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  them  during  the 
period  the  Regiment  remained  at  the  post. 

Company  C  was  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard.  Capt.  Price, 
with  his  company,  upon  landing,  proceeded  to  the  provost  guard 
quarters,  a  large  new  dwelling  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  city, 
where  he  relieved  Capt.  Sabine,  of  the  llth  Maine,  provost  marshal. 
The  company  stacked  arms  in  front  of  the  building,  upon  a  vacant 
lot,  and  the  men  were  allowed  to  rest  under  the  shade  in  the  vi 
cinity,  subject  to  orders  of  the  lieutenants  in  charge  of  the  company 
until  the  quarters  occupied  by  the  llth  Maine  were  ready  for  them. 

Capt.  Price  received,  of  the  former  provost  marshal,  all  the  books 
and  papers  pertaining  to  the  office,  together  with  such  property  as 
was  in  his  charge,  and  about  thirty  prisoners,  under  sentence  of 
court-martial,  who  had  been  consigned  to  the  custody  of  that  officer, 
duplicate  receipts  being  given  in  each  case. 

Companies  A  and  G  were  detailed  to  garrison  Fort  Clinch,  under 
command  of  Capt.  Francis  M.  Guss,  of  Company  A,  relieving  two 
companies  of  the  llth  Maine.  The  officers  and  part  of  the  men 
occupied  quarters  in  the  casemates  of  the  fort,  the  remainder  having 
tents.  A  regular  detail  of  sentinels  guarded  the  fort,  two  or  three 
posts  were  required  on  the  beach,  and  a  watch  kept  at  the  Light 
house,  at  some  distance.  The  duty  was  mainly  that  of  a  garrison 
to  the  fort.  A  mounted  courier  was  on  duty  as  messenger  between 
the  fort  and  post  head-quarters. 

Company  H,  commanded  by  2d  Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  was 
stationed  at  Old  Town,  between  New  Fernandina  and  Fort  Clinch. 
The  company  occupied  tents  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  near  the 
houses.  This  company  maintained  a  guard  at  the  causeway  leading 
to  the  fort  and  a  picket  at  a  point  on  the  river  to  prevent  boats 
passing  up  and  down  The  charge  of  maintaining  order  in  the  Old 
Town  was  also  a  part  of  the  duty. 

Company  E,  Capt.  William  McConnell  in  command,  was  sta 
tioned,  as  an  outpost  picket,  at  the  railroad  bridge  across  an  inlet 


FERNANDINA.       DETAILS   FOR   POST    DUTY.  213 

from  Amelia  llivor,  on  the  Fermmdina  and  Pilatka  Railroad,  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  Fernandina. 

The  remaining  companies  of  the  Regiment  were  encamped  on 
the  ground  occupied  by  Col.  Plaisted's  regiment,  near  the  rebel  re 
doubt  on  the  river,  and  adjacent  to  the  late  Gov.  Broom's  house, 
the  officers  having  quarters  in  an  adjoining  house.  The  men  occu 
pied  their  tents. 

On  October  6,  Mr.  Forrest's  schooner  arrived  with  sutler's  stores, 
which  were  landed  and  transferred  to  a  storehouse  near  the  officers' 
quarters,  where  Mr.  Forrest  was  soon  established  in  a  thriving  trade 
to  his  own  profit  and  the  men's  delight.  His  schooner  had  served 
also  as  his  storehouse  in  the  early  part  of  the  campaign  of  1863, 
but  he  mostly  had  a  large  tent  at  the  camp  of  the  Regiment. 

The  five  companies  of  the  Regiment  at  Fernandina  were  engaged 
in  the  usual  camp  duties  and  furnished  the  post  guard;  also  a  picket 
guard,  that  was  established  on  the  roads  and  approaches  to  the 
town  from  inland,  these  being  relieved  every  twenty-four  hours;  two 
posts  were  also  stationed  several  miles  down  the  island,  one  at 
an  old  sugar  house  plantation  and  one  still  further,  at  Harrison's 
Landing,  on  the  inside  shore  of  the  island;  these  posts  being  relieved 
at  intervals  of  one  week,  having  also  a  mounted  courier  at  each 
post  to  carry  intelligence  of  any  movement  if  necessary.  Provision 
and  forage  were  sent  to  them  as  required. 

A  mounted  patrol  of  six  men  was  also  detailed  for  service,  under 
the  provost  marshal,  two  being  on  duty  at  a  time,  day  and  night, 
relieved  every  four  hours.  They  were  charged  with  the  duty  of 
arresting  all  stragglers  from  camp  and  of  surpervising  the  order  of 
the  town,  seeing  that  all  persons  at  the  post  were  duly  authorized 
as  resident  or  having  the  proper  passes,  at  night  requiring  the 
lights  in  houses  and  quarters  to  be  extinguished  at  taps  and  the 
men  to  be  in  camp,  demanding  the  countersign  of  all  found  in  the 
streets  after  9  P.  M.  The  patrol  was  at  all  times  available  to  arrest 
and  prevent  disorder  of  every  kind  and  promoted  greatly  the  quiet 
and  security  of  the  post.  The  men  selected  for  this  duty  were  of 
the  most  energetic  and  reliable  in  the  Regiment.  They  received 
the  entire  approbation  of  the  provost  marshal  for  their  faithful 
services.  The  original  detail  consisted  of  Corps.  John  T.  Boofter, 
Company  B;  John  W.  Brooks,  Company  D;  Privates  Robert  L. 
Black  and  William  H.  Clark,  Company  A;  Davis  McAfee,  Com 
pany  F,  and  James  Peoples,  Company  I.  Clark,  of  Company  A, 


214  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

was  relieved,  in  January,  by  Private  Jacob  C.  Strode,  of  same  com 
pany,  on  account  of  disability  from  a  rupture.  Corp.  Brooks  and 
Privates  Black,  McAfee  and  Peoples  re-enlisted,  with  the  veterans, 
in  March,  and  received  furloughs  to  return  home.  Privates  George 
W.  Hawkins,  Chanlee  Kirk  and  William  H.  H.  Startz,  of  Company 

A,  and  Private  Joseph  Wetherill,  of  Company  C,  were  detailed  to 
fill  the  vacancies  in  the  patrol. 

Private  John  W.  Ford,  of  Company  A,  was  detailed  as  a  mounted 
courier  for  duty  at  post  head-quarters.  Corp.  Harry  S.  Pyott,  of 
Company  A,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  contrabands  at  the  post, 
and  Sergt.  Lee  A.  Stroud,  of  Company  F,  was  detailed  as  wharf 
master,  Sergt.  William  L.  Morris,  of  Company  A,  was  detailed  as 
ordnance  sergeant,  at  Fort  Clinch,  to  assist  Lieut.  Yarnall,  post 
ordnance  officer. 

Sergt.  R.  Powell  Fithian,  of  Company  K,  was  also  detailed  as  post 
printer,  and  subsequently  Private  Young,  of  Company  D.  They 
were  attached  to  the  office  of  the  Peninsular  during  most  of  the 
time  the  Regiment  remained  at  the  post. 

Several  men  were  detailed  at  the  post  bakery,  with  Corp.  Chan- 
ning  Brinton  placed  in  charge  of  the  clerical  duties  of  that  institution ; 
Corp.  Wilbur  F.  Flannery,  Company  D,  as  clerk  at  post  head 
quarters  ;  Corp.  C.  Burleigh  Hambleton  Company  C  as  chief  clerk 
to  provost  marshal ;  Private  Jeremiah  King,  Company  A,  as  clerk 
to  post  quarter-master;  Privates  Robert  W.  Humphreys,  Company 

B,  and  John  L.  Kitts,  Company  C,  as  clerks  in  post  commissary  de 
partment. 

The  post  hospital  was  a  fine  large  building  situated  on  Main  Street, 
between  the  head-quarters  and  the  camp  of  the  Regiment.  The  ac 
commodations  were  most  ample,  rooms  large  and  airy,  the  ventila 
tion  of  the  wards  and  the  police  arrangements  very  good.  The  sup 
ply  of  stores,  bedding,  medicines,  etc.,  adequate  to  every  want  of 
the  sick,  and  even  that  novel  accommodation,  a  milch-cow,  wras 
here  for  the  first  time  supplied. 

The  provost  guard  established  a  regular  camp  guard  around  the  lot 
enclosing  the  quarters  and  the  barracks  in  which  the  prisoners  in 
charge  of  the  provost  marshal  were  confined.  A  guard  was  also  pro 
vided  to  have  charge  of  the  prisoners  while  at  work  at  the  wharf  or 
other  places  where  their  services  were  required.  Additional  prison 
ers  were  received  by  the  provost  marshal  from  time  to  time  from  the 
forces  in  the  department,  in  conformity  with  the  sentences  of  courts- 


FEUNANDINA.       POST   DUTIES   AND    INCIDENTS.  'J 1  "> 

martial.  During  his  term  of  service  at  the  post,  the  number  was 
increased  from  thirty  to  one  hundred  and  thirty.  The  terms  of  sen 
tence  designated  "Fort  Clinch,  Florida,  at  hard  labor;"  but  owing 
to  the  difficulty  attending  the  control  of  a  few  prisoners  at  work 
with  a  large  number  of  civilians,  who  were  employed  at  the  fort, 
the  previous  provost  marshal  hud  been  employing  the  prisoners  at 
such  labor  as  was  needed  in  the  quarter-master's  department,  at  the 
wharf  in  the  town,  and  in  cutting  wood  for  the  post  bakery,  etc. 
This  arrangement  was  at  first  continued  by  Capt.  Price.  They 
were  also  employed  in  cutting  logs  for  piles  to  rebuild  the  wharf  and 
in  driving  the  piles  for  the  same.  They  also  aided  in  the  removal 
of  the  old  jail,  a  log  structure,  quite  a  distance,  to  the  provost  head 
quarters,  to  be  used  as  a  lockup  when  required. 

Subsequently,  the  prisoners  were  removed  to  the  barracks,  near 
Fort  Clinch,  to  be  employed  upon  the  work  at  the  fort,  in  con 
formity  with  the  terms  of  sentence,  being  in  charge  of  a  guard  and 
under  command  of  a  sergeant  of  the  provost  guard  company,  whose 
detail  served  continuously  for  a  week  at  a  time,  divided  into  three 
daily  reliefs. 

Among  other  duties  of  the  provost  marshal  was  that  of  exa 
mining  all  vessels,  other  than  naval,  entering  and  departing  from 
the  harbor,  to  prevent  illegal  traffic  and  the  sale  of  liquors  to  the 
troops,  having  a  sailing  and  rowboat,  with  a  crew  detailed  for  the 
purpose  of  boarding  these  vessels  in  the  harbor.  Upon  one  oc 
casion,  a  barque  came  to  anchor  near  Fort  Clinch.  The  day  being 
stormy  and  the  harbor  quite  rough,  it  was  difficult  to  reach  the 
barque;  the  tide,  also,  running  out  very  swiftly.  On  approaching 
the  vessel,  it  was  found  the  boat's  painter  was  entangled  under 
the  end  of  the  stepboard,  forced  loose  by  the  strain  on  the  mast. 
Calling  for  a  rope  to  be  thrown  over  the  side,  to  make  fast  the  boat, 
it  was  not  understood.  The  boat  then  swept  past,  there  being 
nothing  to  catch  hold  of  to  stay  it  in  the  rapid  current.  It  was 
then  necessary  to  go  about,  in  order  to  return  to  the  vessel,  a  feat 
very  difficult  and  dangerous  in  waves  so  high  and  wild.  By  great 
exertion,  the  boat  was  kept  from  being  swamped  in  turning,  having 
shipped  a  heavy  wave  which  nearly  filled  it.  Arriving  again  at  the 
side  of  the  vessel,  a  rope  was  made  fast  to  the  boat.  The  provost  mar 
shal  and  one  man  had  just  ascended  the  sling  ladder,  when,  owing 
to  slack  rope,  the  prow  of  the  boat  getting  a  little  out  from  the  side 
of  the  vessel,  the  swift  current  overturned  it  in  an  instant.  Sergt. 


216  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

Moore  and  Private  Latch,  of  Company  C,  being  still  in  the  boat, 
the  latter  caught  the  sling  ladder  as  the  boat  went  under;  but 
Sergt.  Moore,  less  fortunate,  was  swept  down  with  the  boat.  He 
managed  to  catch  hold  of  the  rope,  by  which  the  boat  was  still 
securely  fastened,  but  his  position  was  one  of  great  peril.  With 
great  presence  of  mind,  he  held  on  until  a  rope  was  thrown  over  to 
him,  which  he  made  fast  around  his  body  and  was  hauled  aboard  at 
the  stern  of  the  vessel.  Mr.  Frisbee,  the  pilot,  then  took  his  boat 
and  secured  the  mast  and  sail  of  the  boat  which  were  floating  sea 
ward. 

On  the  evening  of  October  22,  a  reunion  of  the  officers  of  the 
army  and  navy,  at  the  post,  occurred  on  board  the  gunboat  Flam 
beau,  which  was  the  occasion  of  inaugurating  the  most  kindly 
feeling  between  the  two  branches  of  the  service.  The  officers  of  the 
navy  being  the  hosts,  spared  no  pains  to  make  it  a  success.  The 
table  was  loaded  with  the  choicest  luxuries  to  be  found.  The 
largest  drumfish  ever  caught  in  those  waters  honored  the  guests 
with  his  presence,  being  nearly  four  feet  in  length  and  in  due  pro 
portion,  proving  delicious  as  a  brook  trout. 

The  deck  was  adorned  with  bunting  draped  from  the  spars  over 
head,  while  the  merry  sailors,  with  song  and  viol,  alternated  music 
with  jest,  and  witty  repartee  in  genuine  cordiality  filled  the  hours 
with  pleasure,  until  the  small  figures  warned  the  guests  to  bid  adieu 
to  their  hosts,  impressed  with  the  feeling  that  the  memories  of  that 
evening  would  ever  remain  a  pleasant  retrospect  to  brighten  some 
of  the  sterner  experiences  of  the  soldier's  and  the  sailor's  life. 
Long  life  and  happiness  to  our  friends,  the  "gallant  Flambeau 
tars." 

During  the  stay  at  the  post,  some  of  the  officers  obtained  leave 
to  visit  St.  Augustine,  that  beautiful  and  strange  old  Spanish  town, 
whose  early  history,  with  its  thrilling  legends,  have  thrown  a  veil 
of  mysterious  interest  around  its  old  fortress,  with  its  subterranean 
vaults,  its  ruined  arches  and  crumbling  walls.  The  description  of 
these  might  form  a  romance  in  itself. 

On  October  24th,  the  first  mail  was  received  at  Fernandina,  and 
the  men  who  had  received  furloughs,  on  Morris  Island,  rejoined  the 
Regiment,  arriving  in  the  mail  steamer.  Com.  Sergt.  McKay  re 
sumed  his  duties;  Sergt.  Moore,  of  Company  C,  was  relieved  from 
duty,  as  acting  commissary  sergeant,  and  returned  to  duty  with  his 
company.  Lieut.  Col.  Duer  also  returned  to  the  Regiment,  from 


FERNANDINA.      DEATHS   AND   DISCHARGES.  217 

sick  leave  of  absence,  his  health  not  much  improved.     He  occupied 
quarters  in  Gov.  Broom's  house. 

Privates  James  F.  Maloney,  Company  I,  and  Jacob  Kerr,  Com 
pany  F,  were  discharged,  for  disability,  on  the  12th.  The  latter 
died,  on  the  27th,  at  Hilton  Head,  of  chronic  diarrluca;  Private 
Jonathan  Todd,  Company  I,  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  on  October  31. 

During  the  month  of  October,  the  following  men  of  the  Regiment 
died:  Private  Joseph  E.  Booth,  of  Company  D,  died,  of  chronic 
diarrlura,  at  the  hospital  of  the  3d  N.  H.,  on  Morris  Island,  October 
3;  Corp.  David  S.  Christman,  of  Company  K,  of  pneumonia,  at  the 
general  hospital,  on  the  7th;  Private  James  Kenan,  of  Company  B, 
on  the  8th;  Private  Milton  Greenfield,  of  Company  F,  on  the  llth; 
Corp.  John  Doyle,  of  Company  G,  on  the  26th,  and  Sergt.  David 
H.  Birney,  of  Company  B,  on  the  30th;  the  four  latter  of  chronic 
diarrhcra,  at  the  general  hospital;  Privates  Isaac  H.  Pugh,  of  Com 
pany  G,  on  the  25th,  and  Jacob  Macintosh,  of  Company  C,  on  the 
28th,  both  died  at  Beaufort,  of  the  same  disease.  The  following 
died  at  the  post  hospital,  at  Fernandina:  Private  George  G.  Hardy, 
of  Company  B,  on  the  13th,  of  chronic  diarrhoea;  Private  John  G. 
Hughes,  Company  H,  on  the  15th,  of  scurvy;  Private  Jesse  Wood 
ward,  Company  F,  on  the  26th,  of  consumption;  Private  Charles 
J.  Kinsey,  Company  C,  on  the  28th,  of  chronic  diarrhcra ;  Private 
Patrick  Murphy,  Company  E,  on  the  28th,  of  consumption. 

Sergt.  Reese  L.  Weaver,  Company  G,  died,  on  the  12th,  of 
chronic  diarrhoea,  in  the  U.  S.  hospital,  in  New  York ;  Private  John 
Ward,  Company  I,  on  the  28th,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  at  Fort  Schuy- 
ler  hospital,  New  York  Harbor.  These  were  all  most  excellent 
men  and  faithful  soldiers.  Company  A  was  the  only  one  not  in 
cluded  in  this  list.  Those  who  died  at  Fernandina  were  buried  in 
the  general  burying  ground  adjoining  Old  Town. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  I.  O.  of  O.  F.,  belonging  to 
the  97th  P.  V.,  held  at  the  provost  marshal's  head-quarters,  on  the 
evening  after  the  death  of  Private  Jesse  Woodward,  resolutions  of 
respect  to  his  memory  and  his  faithfulness  as  a  soldier,  also  of  con 
dolence  to  his  family,  were  adopted  and  forwarded  to  West  Chester, 
properly  attested.  He  was  a  member  of  Pocohontas  Lodge,  No. 
316,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  and  was  a  conscientious,  faithful  soldier, 
generous  in  feeling,  though  quiet  and  unobtrusive.  He  possessed 
the  esteem  and  confidence  of  both  officers  and  men. 


218  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

The  following  statement  gives  the  changes  which  occurred  in  the 
Regiment  during  its  second  year  of  service:  on  October  29,  1862, 
the  total  officers  and  men  was  eight  hundred  and  thirty-nine;  sub 
sequently,  nine  recruits  had  joined,  making  a  total  number  of  eight 
hundred  and  forty-eight ;  during  the  year  one  officer  was  transferred 
to  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps;  eleven  officers  resigned,  or  were  dis 
charged  on  surgeon's  certificate,  and  sixty-four  men  were  discharged 
on  same  account;  one  officer  and  forty-six  men  died,  four  of  whom 
were  killed ;  five  men  were  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps 
and  two  men  to  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps;  twelve  men  re-enlisted  in 
Company  E,  3d  U.  S.  Artillery ;  making  a  total  loss  in  the  regiment 
of  one  hundred  and  forty-two  during  the  year,  leaving  the  aggregate, 
October  29,  1863,  at  seven  hundred  and  six,  officers  and  men,  the 
loss  being  thirty  less  than  that  of  the  first  year  of  service. 

On  October  31,  the  Begiment  was  mustered  for  pay  and  inspected 
by  Col.  Guss  and  staff,  who  visited  the  different  detachments  for 
the  purpose. 

On  November  5,  the  steamer  Rebecca  Clyde  arrived  at  Fernan- 
dina,  having  on  board  two  hundred  and  eighteen  substitutes  and 
conscripts  for  the  97th  P.  V.,  in  charge  of  Capt.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis, 
Company  F.  The  men  were  mostly  in  a  very  insubordinate  condi 
tion,  having  been  furnished  with  whisky,  by  the  crew,  during  the 
voyage.  Many  of  them,  having  their  bounty  money  in  their  posses 
sion  at  starting,  had  been  robbed  by  gangs  of  desperate  associates, 
who,  in  turn,  were  continually  stealing  the  proceeds  from  each 
other.  The  officers  in  charge  and  the  captain  of  the  steamer  had 
only  succeeded  in  preventing  them  from  taking  control  of  the  ship 
by  threats  of  turning  the  steam  upon  them  in  their  quarters  below. 
A  detail  of  two  companies,  from  the  Regiment,  was  stationed  as  a 
double  line  of  guards  from  the  wharf  to  a  church,  around  which  a 
guard  was  also  placed.  Between  these  lines  the  men  were  con 
ducted.  Several  of  the  most  drunken  and  disorderly  made  violent 
demonstrations,  bidding  defiance  to  all  in  their  reach  and  fighting 
among  themselves,  yet  avoiding  contact  with  the  lines  of  bayonets 
in  the  hands  of  the  guard.  When  they  had  all  been  driven  into 
the  church,  the  provost  marshal  and  his  guard  entered  and  secured 
the  ringleaders  of  the  desperadoes,  who,  by  this  time,  found  it  was 
useless  to  resist.  Col.  Guss  then  addressed  the  men — said  he  hoped 
they  would  conform  to  order  and  proper  discipline.  If  they  did  they 
would  have  no  trouble  in  the  future;  if  they  did  not  they  would  be 


FERNANDINA.      CONSCRIPTS   AND   SUBSTITUTES.  219 

punished.  Ho  told  them  he  would  receive  and  treat  them  as  he 
would  like  to  be  treated  himself  and  hoped  they  would  prove  to  be 
good  soldiers.  The  remainder  now  seemed  quite  willing  to  obey  and 
respect  the  authority  of  the  officers.  Many  of  them  said  they  felt  as 
if  their  lives  were  now,  for  the  first  time  since  leaving  the  north, 
rendered  secure.  These  men  were  then  marched  to  the  camp  of  the 
Regiment,  where,  under  the  superintendence  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss, 
they  were  examined  and  identified  with  the  descriptive  rolls  fur 
nished,  and  assigned  to  the  different  companies. 

On  November  14,  seventy  more  conscripts  and  substitutes  arrived 
in  the  steamer  Beaufort,  in  charge  of  Capt,  Caleb  Hoopes,  Company 
G.  Many  of  these  were  also  drunk  and  disorderly,  having  had 
whisky  freely  furnished  them  by  the  crew.  The  same  measures 
were  adopted  to  reduce  them  to  order  and  respect  of  authority  as 
before. 

The  total  number  assigned  to  the  different  companies  was  as 
follows:  Company  A,  seven;  Company  B,  thirty-one;  Company  C, 
thirty-four;  Company  D,  twenty-five;  Company  E,  twenty-seven; 
Company  F,  twenty-one;  Company  G,  twenty-eight;  Company  H, 
thirty-six;  Company  I,  thirty-eight;  Company  K,  forty-one.  Total, 
two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  men. 

Many  of  these  men  became  good  and  reliable  soldiers,  but  the 
greater  portion  were  a  constant  cause  of  trouble  to  the  entire  com 
mand,  requiring  the  utmost  vigilance  of  the  officers  to  prevent  in 
subordination,  and  entailing  increased  duty  upon  the  old  and  faithful 
men  of  the  Regiment  to  keep  the  disorderly  new  ones  in  subjection 
to  orders. 

Among  other  property  turned  over  to  the  provost  marshal,  by  the 
retiring  officer,  was  the  stock  and  fixtures  of  a  dry  goods  and  gro 
cery  store  of  a  citizen  convicted  of  selling  liquor  at  the  post,  in  vio 
lation  of  orders.  An  order  was  subsequently  received  from  the  pro 
vost  marshal  general  of  the  department,  Lieut.  Col.  James  F.  Hall, 
1st  X.  Y.  Eng's,  directing  the  sale  of  the  goods  and  a  return  made  to 
him  of  the  proceeds.  This  order  was  carried  out,  on  November  10, 
by  a  public  auction  of  the  goods  after  due  public  notice.  The  provost 
marshal  remembered  that  a  son  of  one  of  Chester  County's  most 
noted  auctioneers  was  a  member  of  Company  B,  97th  P.  V.  He 
therefore  summoned  Sergt.  W.  A.  Nichols  to  his  head-quarters,  and 
telling  him  he  wanted  an  auctioneer,  and  knew  of  nothing  nearer  in 
that  line  than  the  son  of  an  auctioneer,  proposed  then  and  there  that 


220  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

he  should  begin  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  illustrious  ances 
tor.  Nothing  daunted,  the  sergeant  expressed  his  willingness  to  go 
into  business  in  that  line.  His  success  was  most  gratifying,  exceed 
ing  the  expectation  of  all  concerned — prices  ranged  high,  and  the 
sergeant  displayed  wit,  readiness  and  tact  that  made  the  occasion 
one  of  the  liveliest  and  most  interesting  that  occurred  during  the 
stay  at  Fernandina.  Sergt.  Nichols,  having  graduated  as  an  auc 
tioneer,  in  Florida, "with  such  distinguished  honors,  has  continued 
to  ply  his  vocation  since  his  return  home,  it  is  hoped,  with  the 
success  he  then  gave  such  good  promise  of  deserving. 

On  November  12,  Maj.  Pennypacker  and  Lieut.  Black,  of  Com 
pany  K,  returned  to  the  Regiment,  having  had  their  leave  extended 
to  fifty  days.  Both  were  much  improved  in  health  and  were  gladly 
welcomed  by  the  Regiment.  The  major  occupied  quarters,  in  Gov. 
Broom's  house,  with  Lieut.  Col.  Duer.  Capt.  George  Guss  also  ar 
rived  from  Morris  Island.  Col.  Guss'  daughter,  Miss  Lizzie  Guss, 
and  his  cousin,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Warner,  accompanied  Maj.  Penny- 
packer  from  West  Chester.  Capt.  Henry  W.  King  (harbor  mas 
ter  at  Hilton  Head)  and  his  wife  also  came  down  to  visit  the  colo 
nel  for  a  short  time,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Capt.  Bryant.  They 
remained  a  couple  of  weeks.  Miss  Guss  and  Mrs.  Warner  con 
tinued  with  the  colonel  during  the  winter.  The  presence  of  these 
ladies  was  a  most  agreeable  accession  to  the  social  circle,  and  ren 
dered  the  colonel's  home  a  very  attractive  household,  quite  in  con 
trast  with  the  long  and  lonely  campaign  he  had  experienced  without 
the  presence  of  his  family  circle.  Other  visitors  during  the  winter 
enlarged  the  interest  for  those  who  had  long  been  deprived  of  the 
benefit  of  ladies'  society,  and  the  presence  of  quite  a  number  of  the 
ladies  of  officers  and  others,  spending  the  winter  south,  became  a 
most  entertaining  and  permanent  feature  in  the  winter's  expe 
riences.  Among  these  were  the  family  of  Gov.  Reed,  Mrs.  H.  H. 
Helper,  Mrs.  Capt.  Alfred  F.  Sears  and  two  of  her  young  friends 
(the  Misses  Talcott,  from  New  York),  Mrs.  Dr.  Winslow  and  sister, 
Mrs.  Capt.  Davis,  Misses  Merrick,  Botts,  Slocum  (sister  of  Gen. 
Slocum,  of  New  York),  and  other  lady  teachers,  engaged  in  edu 
cating  the  contrabands,  and  some  others  whose  names  cannot  now 
be  recalled. 

Frequent  excursions  were  made  on  horseback  upon  the  beach  and 
down  the  island,  and  boating  upon  the  bay  and  up  the  Cumberland 
Sound.  Hunting  wild  cattle,  upon  the  island,  also  afforded  an 


FERNAXDINA.       INLAND    EXCURSIONS. 


2-21 


occasional  day's  sport,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  fresh  beef. 
Upon  one  occasion,  when  the  ladies  were  of  the  party,  a  fine  deer 
was  started  up  and  an  animated  chase  ensued.  Shots  were  fired 
from  all  quarters  and  the  party  dashed,  at  full  speed,  in  pursuit, 
closing  in  upon  the  fugitive.  The  ladies  rode  gallantly  over  the 
underbrush  and  across  the  cotton  ridges,  to  be  in  at  the  death,  one 
being  the  second  to  arrive  at  the  spot  where  the  game  fell.  The 
venison  steak  proved  even  more  delicious  than  the  roast  beef  that 
formed  the  larger  bulk  of  the  day's  prizes. 
Some  of  these  inland 


cursious  led  into  the  intri 
cate  jungles  and  swamps, 
inaccessible,  except  by  fol 
lowing  the  paths  of  the 
wild  cattle,  traversed  with 
difficulty,  by  horsemen,  who 
were  often  dragged  from 
their  seats  by  overhanging 
branches  and  intertwining 
vines  of  the  jungle.  The 
scenery,  in  some  places,  was 
enchanting.  The  limbs  of 
the  trees  were  festooned  by 
the  ever-present  swaying 
moss,  in  its  weird  -  like 
beauty,  while  the  bright 
surface  of  some  rift  of  water 

repeated  the  wild  picture  in  submerged  reflection,  giving  realization 
unto  visions  of  fairy  land. 

On  November  14,  one  man  from  each  company  received  a  fur 
lough,  for  thirty  days,  and  returned  home. 

On  November  15,  six  of  the  men  assigned  to  Company  K  de 
serted,  and  succeeded  in  escaping  to  the  enemy  on  the  main 
land. 

On  the  following  day,  five  men  deserted,  from  Company  E,  who 
also  went  over  to  the  enemy's  lines. 

On  the  16th,  a  company  of  rebel  cavalry  appeared  in  sight,  on 
the  main  land,  opposite  Cumberland  Sound.  The  naval  steamer 
Flambeau  ran  up  the  sound  and  threw  some  shell,  which  dispersed 
them.  The  next  day,  the  same  company  was  seen  on  the  shore  up 


A  FLORIDA  SWAMP  AND  JUNGLE. 


222  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        ["November, 

the  Amelia  River,  when  the  Flambeau  again  advanced  and  threw 
shell  after  them. 

November  26,  the  day  set  apart,  by  President  Lincoln,  as  a  day 
of  thanksgiving,  was  appropriately  observed  at  the  post.  The  troops 
and  citizens  were  assembled,  at  10  A.  M.,  in  front  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  where  a  platform  had  been  erected.  Colonel  Guss  was  an 
nounced  as  president,  Lieut.  Col.  Duer,  Capt.  Price  and  Lieut.  D. 
Jones,  vice-presidents,  and  Judge  J.  K.  Stickney,  of  the  U.  S.  Tax 
Commission,  as  secretary. 

The  services  were  opened  by  introductory  remarks,  and  followed 
by  an  appropriate  prayer,  by  Rev.  William  Kennedy,  of  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission.  Music  by  (he  string  band,  recently 
organized,  at  Fort  Clinch,  principally  by  the  members  of  Company 
A  and  other  companies.  Song,  "  America,"  sung  by  the  ladies  of 
the  assemblage.  Reading  proclamation  and  accompanying  remarks, 
by  Capt.  Alfred  F.  Sears,  1st  N.  Y.  Eng's,  constructing  engineer 
of  Fort  Clinch.  Song,  "Star  Spangled  Banner."  Remarks,  by 
Edward  Cavendy,  acting  volunteer  lieutenant,  commanding  gun 
boat  Flambeau,  and  F.  H,  D'Estmauville,  acting  ensign  of  gunboat 
Flambeau.  Song,  "  Red,  White  and  Blue."  Remarks,  by  Adjt. 
H.  W.  Carruthers,  97th  P.  V.,  post  adjutant,  and  Capt  Hawkins, 
Company  I,  97th  P.  V.  Song,  "Hail  Columbia."  Hymn,  "Old 
Hundred."  Closing  remarks  and  benediction,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Beard, 
of  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission.  The  exercises  were  most  in 
teresting.  All  the  remarks  were  well  timed  and  forcibly  eloquent 
and  enthusiastically  received  by  the  assembly.  During  the  pro 
ceedings,  the  best  order  prevailed.  The  string  band,  which  inter 
spersed  the  exercises,  also  gave  some  very  beautiful  performances  in 
the  afternoon,  at  Col.  Guss'  head-quarters,  and  several  serenades  in 
the  evening. 

On  November  28,  four  substitutes  increased  the  number  of  de 
serters  from  Company  E,  at  the  railroad  bridge.  They  escaped 
across  the  river  to  the  main  land. 

About  this  time,  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  Company  E,  was  re 
leased  from  duty,  as  post  commissary,  by  2d  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne, 
Company  D.  Lieut.  McGrath  was  ordered  to  report  at  the  post 
commissary,  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  for  duty  at  that  place.  After  a  few 
weeks,  he  returned  to  Fernandina  and  was  again  assigned  to  duty  as 
post  commissary. 

During  the  month  of  November,  the  following  deaths  occurred 


1863.]     FERNANDINA.      SALUTE   IN    HONOR   OF   GRANT'S   VICTORIES.      223 

in  the  Regiment:  Corp.  Robert  Trowlund,  Company  I,  on  the  4th, 
of  chronic  diarrhoea,  at  Christian  Street  Hospital,  Philadelphia; 
Private  William  G.  McLane,  Company  C,  on  the  8th,  of  chronic 
diarrhoea,  at  Beaufort ;  Private  Horace  Passmore,  Company  A, 
on  the  18th,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  at  Fernandina;  Private  James 
Wright,  of  Company  G,  on  the  20th,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  at  Fer 
nandina;  Private  Samuel  Pierson,  substitute,  of  Company  K,  on 
the  25th,  of  dysentery,  at  Fernandina.  The  death  of  Passmore 
was  the  third  in  Company  A  since  entering  the  service,  a  period  of 
two  years  and  three  months. 

No  discharges  during  the  month  of  November. 

About  December  1,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  Maj.  Penny- 
packer  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  company  drills,  act  as 
instructor  of  officers,  and  to  establish  a  school  for  the  theoretical  in 
struction  of  the  officers  of  the  Regiment. 

On  December  8,  the  Regiment  was  paid  for  the  months  of  Sep 
tember  and  October,  by  Maj.  Orloff  M.  Mason,  paymaster  U.  S.  Vols. 
The  members  of  Companies  A  and  G,  after  receiving  their  pay, 
made  a  most  commendable  and  generous  donation,  by  subscription, 
amounting  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars,  and  forwarded  it  to 
Mrs.  Yocum,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  who  had  lost  a  son  in  each  of 
those  companies. 

On  December  9,  a  salute  of  thirty-five  guns  was  fired  from  Fort 
Clinch,  Fla.,  in  honor  of  Gen.  Grant's  victories  over  Gen.  Braxton 
Bragg,  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission  Ridge  and  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
on  November  24  and  25. 

On  the  night  of  December  14,  four  additional  men,  of  those  re 
cently  assigned,  eluded  the  vigilance  of  the  guard  and  deserted  from 
the  camp.  Their  names  were  James  Wilson,  Company  B,  Peter 
Goodrich  and  John  Williams  of  Company  I,  and  James  Thompson, 
Company  K.  They  had  evidently  reached  the  road  leading  down 
the  island  at  a  point  below  the  picket  station  by  making  a  detour 
through  the  almost  impenetrable  thicket.  After  ascertaining  this, 
Capt.  Hawkins,  with  a  crew  of  picked  meri,  started  in  pursuit,  along 
the  inside  channel,  hoping  to  intercept  the  men  before  they  could 
find  means  to  cross  to  the  main  land.  They,  however,  had  reached 
the  lower  end  of  the  island  just  as  a  boat,  in  charge  of  some  negroes 
in  the  employ  of  Mr.  H.  H.  Helper,  government  agent  at  Fernandina, 
who  had  been  fishing,  landed  on  the  shore,  Mr.  Helper  being  at  the 
time  with  another  boat  on  the  opposite  side  and  out  of  view.  The 


224  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [December, 

deserters  made  a  desperate  attempt  to  capture  the  boat  of  the 
negroes.  Goodrich,  seizing  the  boat,  pointed  a  pistol  at  the  men  who 
were  trying  to  get  off  with  it  and  fired,  but,  not  hitting  the  negroes, 
wounded  one  of  his  companions  (Thompson),  who  also  had  hold 
of  the  boat.  This  mishap  disconcerted  the  men.  The  negroes  im 
mediately  jumped  into  the  boat  and  pulled  for  the  other  shore  to 
inform  Mr.  Helper  of  the  attack.  He  then  crossed  the  river  with 
his  men  and  approached  the  deserters,  who  were  near  their  wounded 
companion.  From  his  appearance,  being  dressed  in  a  gray  suit,  they 
supposed  he  was  a  rebel  and  requested  to  be  taken  across,  saying 
they  were  very  sorry  they  had  mistaken  his  men  for  "  Fernandina 
niggers,"  and  would  make  it  all  right  with  him  as  they  had  money. 
Mr.  Helper  did  not  disabuse  them  of  their  delusion,  but,  before 
agreeing  to  take  them  in  his  boats,  insisted  upon  their  surrendering 
their  arms.  This  they  agreed  to,  when  Mr.  Helper  directed  them  to 
place  their  wounded  companion  in  the  boat  first  and  then  the  three 
men  to  get  in  the  forward  part  of  the  boat.  Previously  to  crossing, 
he  had  armed  himself  and  men  with  the  carbines  he  usually  carried 
on  such  excursions.  Placing  himself  in  a  position  to  watch  the 
slightest  movement  of  the  deserters,  he  ordered  his  men  to  pull  for 
'•the  opposite  side."  It  was  now  nearly  dark.  The  deserters  were 
beginning  to  regard  with  suspicion  the  course  Mr.  Helper  was 
taking.  In  a  very  short  time  the  boat  of  Capt.  Hawkins  was  met, 
when  the  deserters  realized  for  the  first  time  that  they  were  cap 
tured.  Capt.  Hawkins  received  the  prisoners  of  Mr.  Helper  and 
returned  to  Fernandina,  where  they  were  placed  in  charge  of  the 
provost  marshal  to  await  trial  by  court-martial. 

Christmas  day,  at  Fernandina,  was  celebrated  by  a  series  of  plea 
sant  festivities,  participated  in  by  the  army,  navy  and  citizens. 
Ample  arrangements  were  made  to  secure  the  success  of  the  enter 
tainment.  The  exercises  commenced,  at  9  A.  M.,  as  follows: 

Target  shooting,  Springfield  rifled  muskets,  at  one  hundred  yards. 
First  prize,  for  best  three  shots,  $5;  second,  $3;  third,  $2.  Com 
petitors  :  two  men  from  each  company  and  four  from  the  naval  force 
at  the  post.  Committee  to  award  prizes:  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer; 
Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart;  Capt.  Mahlon  E.  Davis,  1st  Fla. ;  J. 
B.  Rhind,  U.  S.  N.;  John  K.  Stickney,  Esq.  First  prize,  won 
by  Private  Eli  Dunlap,  Company  G;  second  prize,  by  Private  Leo 
nard  Thomas,  Company  C;  third  prize,  by  Private  Edward  Wade, 
Company  G. 


FERNANDIXA.      CHRISTMAS   FESTIVITIES.  225 

Hurdle  race.  Distance,  fifty  yards ;  five  hurdles,  two  feet  high ; 
race,  through  and  back.  First  prize,  $5;  second,  $3;  third,  $2. 
Committee:  Capt.  I.  Price,  2d  Lieut.  II.  Odiorne,  F.  H.  D'Estmau- 
ville,  U.  S.  N.  The  prizes  were  won  by  sailors,  names  not  ascer 
tained. 

Blindfold  wheelbarrow  feat.  Distance,  fifty  yards  to  goal  stake. 
The  competitors  to  start  separately,  each  blindfolded,  his  back  to  the 
goal.  First  prize,  to  man  leaving  barrow  nearest  to  stake,  $3; 
second  prize,  to  next  in  distance,  $2.  Committee:  Capt.  D.  W.  C. 
Lewis,  Lieut.  G.  O.  Yarnall,  Lieut.  G.  A.  Lemaistre.  No  record 
was  obtained  of  the  successful  competitors. 

Boat  ?Yice,  between  the  army  and  navy  boats'  crews,  to  a  stake- 
boat  and  return.  Preliminaries  arranged  by  the  following  com 
mittee:  Capt.  G.  W.  Hawkins,  A.  S.  Megattelin,  U.  S.  N.,  and 
John  Harris,  U.  S.  N.  Prize,  $15.  Committee  to  award  prize: 
Col.  H.  11.  Guss,  Capt.  Alfred  H.  Sears,  1st  N.  Y.  Eng's,  and 
Act'g  Lieut.  Com.  Edward  Cavendy,  U.  S.  X.  The  competitors 
were  the  boat's  crew  of  the  U.  S.  gunboat  Flambeau  and  the 
post  boat's  crew,  consisting  of  Corp.  Harry  L.  Pyott,  Privates 
Harry  T.  Gray,  William  Given  and  Lewis  Edward  Humpton,  all 
of  Company  A,  and  Privates  Michael  H.  Matthews  and  John  J. 
Richardson,  Company  I.  This  contest  was  entered  into  with  great 
spirit  and  determination  on  both  sides.  The  crew  of  the  97th  P. 
V.  rowed  with  surprising  steadiness  and  force,  showing  a  degree  of 
proficiency  with  the  oar  that  elicited  universal  admiration.  They 
defeated  their  opponents  signally,  giving  a  proud  victory  to  the  land 
forces  in  bearing  off  the  prize. 

Sack  race.  Distance  fifty  yards.  First  prize,  $3;  second,  $2; 
third,  $1.  Committee:  Capt.  Caleb  Hoopes,  Ass't  Surgeon  George 
W.  Millqr.  Lieut.  S.  V.  Black.  Prizes  won  by  sailors. 

Foot  race.  Distance,  two  hundred  yards.  First  prize,  $5;  second, 
$3.  Committee:  Adjt.  H.  W.  Carruthers.  Lieut.  William  Peace, 
Act'g  Ass't  Surgeon  Samuel  B.  Iloppin,  U.  S.  N.  First  prize, 
won  by  Private  Eli  Dunlap,  Company  G,  and  a  sailor  the  second. 

Hurdle  sack  race.  Distance,  thirty  yards;  three  hurdles,  one 
foot  high.  First  prize,  $5 ;  second,  $3.  Committee :  Ass't  Surgeon 
William  C.  Morrison,  Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles,  Lieut.  James  Mc- 
Williams.  The  prizes  won  by  sailors. 

Jig  dance.     Price  to  best  dancer,  $5.     Committee :  Lieut.  John 
McGrath,  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus  and  Mr.  John  Forrest,  sutler  of  97th 
15 


226  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [December, 

P.  V.  Three  competitors — a  sailor  and  two  soldiers.  The  prize 
won  by  the  former. 

Meal  feat.  Open  to  all  contrabands  at  the  post.  Prize,  the 
meal,  coin,  and  $5.  Committee;  Capt.  William  McConnell,  Lieut. 
I.  Fawkes,  Lieut.  J.  Knapp.  Three  competitors  for  this  exceed 
ingly  ludicrous  feat.  The  prize  was  born  off  by  a  contraband  sailor 
of  the  Flambeau.  The  two  others  received  a  contribution  from  the 
officers  present. 

Greased  pig  race.  Pig  to  have  ten  yards  start.  Prize,  the  pig? 
to  be  awarded  to  the  one  catching  and  holding  him  by  the  tail. 
Committee:  Lieut.  John  Wainwright,  Lieut.  H.  Kauffman,  H.  H. 
Helper,  Esq.,  Superintendent  of  Contrabands.  The  pig  won  his 
own  bacon. 

Master  of  ceremonies  for  the  day:  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker.  As 
sistants:  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss,  Capt.  J.  M.  C.  Savage,  Qr.  Mr.  David 
Jones,  Lieut.  Thomas  Cosgriff.  Chairman  committee  of  arrange 
ments:  Capt.  W.  S.  Mendenhall. 

The  day  was  most  pleasant — mild  as  spring-time  at  the  north. 
Every  arrangement  was  perfected  to  make  the  occasion  interesting 
and  indicative  of  the  good  feeling  existing  between  the  army,  navy 
and  citizens.  The  games  and  festivities  occupied  most  of  the  day 
and  evening,  and  afforded  much  amusement  both  to  spectators  and 
participants.  The  officers  of  the  97th  P.  V.  distributed  about  one 
hundred  dollars  in  prizes  to  the  successful  competitors  and  others. 

A  bountiful  Christmas  dinner  was  provided,  by  Mrs.  St.  John,  for 
the  officers  of  the  Regiment  and  their  guests.  Every  delicacy  of  a 
southern  climate  and  the  larder  of  the  department  were  laid  under 
contribution  to  supply  the  viands.  Roast  turkey,  pig,  ducks, 
chickens,  oysters  in  every  style,  and  pastry  that  vied  with  the  most 
delicious  productions  of  Delmonico's  or  Mrs.  Pyle's,  were  duly  in 
troduced  in  regular  course,  followed  by  fruits,  nuts  and  wines. 
Beautiful  bouquets  of  flowers  lent  the  finishing  touches  of  grace 
that  crowned  Mrs.  St.  John's  most  creditable  efforts  to  gratify  the 
officers  and  their  guests. 

In  the  evening,  an  amusing  burlesque  entertainment  was  produced 
at  the  camp  by  an  amateur  negro  minstrel  troop,  organized  at  Fort 
Clinch,  from  the  men  of  Companies  A,  H  and  G,  by  Sergt.  John 
A.  Russell,  of  Company  H,  and  Eli  B.  Grubb,  of  Company  G,  with 
vocal  and  instrumental  music,  and  other  performances.  The  string 
band,  already  referred  to,  composed  the  orchestra  usually,  but  it  was 


1863  1  FERNANDINA.       CHRISTMAS    FESTIVITIES.  227 

otherwise  engaged  upon  this  occasion,  much  to  the  regret  of  those 
who  were  attracted  to  that  entertainment. 

Another  gathering,  of  a  more  select  order,  was  convened,  in  a 
large  huilding,  at  the  corner  of  Third  "and  Centre  Streets,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  officers  at  the  post,  who  had  invited  a  large  number 
of  guests  to  a  social  party  and  grand  supper,  to  which  the  presence 
of  about  thirty  ladies,  members  of  the  officers'  families  or  of  ci 
vilians  at  the  post  lent  crowning  grace.  It  was  an  occasion  greatly 
enjoyed  as  a  contrast  to  the  long  period  of  service,  deprived  of  social 
entertainment  and  the  refining  influence  of  woman's  presence,  to 
modify  the  stern  asperities  of  duty  and  camp  life.  The  arrange 
ments  were  of  the  most  complete  and  ample  order.  The  dancing 
hall  was  most  abundantly  decorated  with  bunting,  mostly  supplied  by 
the  naval  vessels,  and  festooned  with  green  vines  and  boughs.  The 
supper  room  above  was  provided  with  every  comfort  and  delicacy  to 
be  found  and  "all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell."  The  string  band 
was  here  in  requisition,  and  earned  most  ample  applause  for  its 
elegant  terpsichorean  music  to  which  the  active  feet  of  the  dancers 
kept  time  until  it  ran  on  into  "  the  wee  sma'  hours "  of  the  morn 
ing.  The  editor  of  the  Peninsular,  who  was  a  guest,  thus  comments: 
"  We  have  heard  but  one  expression  in  regard  to  the  affair,  and 
that  was  of  unqualified  praise  and  delight  from  every  guest  and  par 
ticipant.  The  officers  of  the  97th  P.  V.  have  reason  to  be  proud 
of,  and  we  congratulate  them  upon  the  well-deserved  favor  they 
have  won  by  their  gentlemanly  bearing,  no  less  than  for  the  hos 
pitable,  we  might  say  princely,  manner  in  which  they  entertained 
their  friends.  We  have  not  time  nor  space  to  particularize,  but 
must  not  omit  to  mention  the  fact  that  a  goodly  number  of  ladies, 
both  lovely  and  beautiful,  graced  the  occasion  with  their,  presence. 
We  wish  the  officers  of  the  97th  P.  V.  many  happy  returns  of  the 
joyous  occasion." 

During  the  month  of  December,  twelve  enlisted  men  were  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  nearly  all,  at  Fernan- 
dina,  on  the  9th.  Two  men  died,  at  the  post,  of  chronic  diarrhoea: 
Wagoner  Peter  J.  Wonderly,  Company  K,  on  the  4th,  and  Private 
William  Malaney,  Company  G,  on  the  8th. 

On  New  Year  night,  Capt.  Alfred  F.  Sears,  1st  N.  Y.  Eng's,  en 
tertained  his  friends  with  a  social  party,  at  his  residence  in  Old 
Town,  to  which  Col.  Guss  and  staff,  several  officers  of  the  97th 
P.  V.  and  others  on  duty  at  the  post,  and  many  ladies  and  citizens 


228  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

were  invited,  enjoying  a  most  delightful  evening  together,  with 
their  host  and  his  amiable  lady,  who  contributed  very  greatly  to 
the  success  of  the  occasion  and  the  gratification  of  their  numerous 
friends. 

On  the  night  of  January  3,  one  substitute  of  Company  B  and 
five  of  Company  K  deserted,  and  on  that  of  the  6th,  three  more,  of 
Company  H,  deserted.  On  the  following  morning,  the  Regiment, 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Pennypacker,  made  a  partial  scout  of 
the  island,  but  no  clue  was  found  to  the  direction  they  had  taken, 
except  that  a  boat  was  missed  from  the  boatyard,  where  a  guard  was 
posted  in  sight.  Marks  of  a  boat  shoved  through  the  mud  and 
tracks  of  men  were  found  one-quarter  of  a  mile  off,  made  either  by 
negroes  fishing  or,  possibly,  by  the  men  deserting.  An  order  was 
then  issued  to  destroy  all  the  old  boats  at  the  post.  Twenty-eight 
men  had  deserted  and  only  four  were  retaken.  Double  duty  was 
now  required  of  the  men  of  the  Regiment.  Guards  from  the  fort 
were  placed  at  the  wharf  near  Old  Town  and  pickets  sent  out  in 
small  boats  along  the  inside  channels  to  intercept  the  deserters. 

On  January  9,  Maj.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore,  commanding  the  De 
partment  of  the  South,  visited  the  post  of  Fernandina.  He  was  re 
ceived  with  appropriate  ceremonies  at  head-quarters  and  afterward 
visited  the  fort  and  some  other  stations  and  places  of  interest, 
accompanied  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  and  officers  of  his  staff.  Gen. 
Gillmore  expressed  satisfaction  at  the  order  and  condition  of  the 
post  and  the  efficiency  observed  in  the  performance  of  duty  by  the 
officers  and  men. 

About  this  time,  1st  Lieut.  Isaac  Fawkes,  Company  D,  was  de 
tailed  for  a  short  time  as  acting  assistant  inspector  general  of  post, 
to  relieve  Adjt.  Carruthers,  who  was  occupied  with  the  duties  of 
judge  advocate  upon  court-martial  at  the  provost  marshal's  head 
quarters. 

On  January  11,  two  men  from  each  company  of  the  Regiment 
received  furloughs  for  twenty-five  days  and  returned  to  their  homes. 
Those  who  had  received  furloughs,  in  December,  returned  to  the 
Regiment  on  January  14. 

On  January  17,  four  deserters  from  the  rebel  army  came  from  the 
main  land  to  the  picket  outpost  at  the  railroad  bridge;  they  brought 
their  horses,  accoutrements,  etc.  They  had  attended  a  party  the 
night  previously,  having  a  leave  of  absence  from  Camp  Cooper  for 
the  purpose,  and  left  the  party  during  the  night,  reaching  our  lines 


1864 1  FERNANDINA.      VISIT   OF   GENERAL  GILLMORE.  229 

early  in  the  morning.  They  were  fine-looking  men,  who  had  been 
compelled  to  enter  the  rebel  service  and  had  determined  to  desert  at 
the  first  favorable  opportunity. 

On  the  21st,  about  thirty  additional  prisoners  were  received  by 
the  provost  marshal.  They  arrived  under  guard,  on  steamer  Maple 
Leaf,  from  Hilton  Head,  being  under  sentence  of  confinement  at 
Fort  Clinch. 

On  the  same  day,  Sergt.  Acker,  of  the  provost  guard,  with  a  detail, 
was  placed  in  charge  of  several  prisoners  and  sent  to  Tiger  Island, 
to  cut  timber  for  piles,  to  rebuild  the  wharf  at  Fernandina.  They 
were  provided  with  tents,  rations,  etc.,  and  remained  upon  that  duty 
for  five  days,  when  they  returned,  having  cut  and  rafted  a  suffi 
cient  quantity  of  logs  for  that  purpose.  The  prisoners  were  after 
ward  employed  in  rebuilding  the  wharf  and  in  building  additional 
quarters  for  forty-eight  prisoners  at  the  provost  grounds. 

On  January  31,  the  Regiment  was  reviewed  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss, 
and  afterward  inspected  and  mustered  for  pay,  the  detachments, 
excepting  the  detail  for  the  day's  duty,  having  marched  to  Fernan 
dina  for  the  purpose. 

During  January,  but  two  men  died  of  disease  and  none  were 
discharged. 

On  February  3,  Sergt.  Webster  A.  Nichols,  Corp.  John  B.  Grif 
fith  and  Privates  Albert  James  Reese  and  Robert  Bruce  Wallace, 
all  of  Company  B,  started  on  a  scout  to  the  main  land,  to  ascertain 
the  condition  of  the  bridges  on  the  Fernandina  and  Pilatka  Rail 
road  and  to  examine  the  locality  and  strength  of  the  rebel  Camp 
Cooper.  The  detail  returned  on  the  9th,  having  safely  and  suc 
cessfully  accomplished  the  object  for  which  it  was  sent. 

On  February  5,  2d  Lieut.  John  Knapp,  Company  I,  having  re 
signed,  was -honorably  discharged  and  returned  home. 

The  prisoners — Wilson,  Goodrich,  Williams  and  Thompson — ar 
rested  for  desertion,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  provost  marshal, 
in  December,  1863,  were  subsequently  tried  by  a  general  court-mar 
tial,  at  Fernandina,  of  which  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  president  and 
Adjt.  H.  W.  Carruthers  was  judge  advocate.  They  were  ably  de 
fended  by  Judge  James  M.  Latta,  but,  the  evidence  being  conclu 
sive,  they  were  all  convicted.  Three  were  sentenced  to  be  shot. 
Williams,  the  youngest,  who  it  was  evident  had  been  unduly  in 
fluenced  by  the  others,  without  having  realized  the  consequences 
of  the  crime  of  desertion,  was  sentenced  to  imprisonment  at  hard 


230  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

labor  for  the  balance  of  his  term  of  service,  with  the  forfeiture  of  all 
pay  and  allowances  except  necessary  clothing,  and  to  be  dishonorably 
discharged  at  the  expiration  of  the  sentence  and  term  of  service. 

On  February  6,  the  sentences  of  the  four  deserters,  convicted  by 
court-martial,  having  been  forwarded  to  department  head-quarters 
for  approval  by  the  commanding  general,  were  returned  with  direc 
tions  to  execute  the  terms  of  sentence  within  twenty-four  hours  after 
receiving  the  order.  This  most  painful  announcement  was  therefore 
made  to  the  prisoners  by  the  provost  marshal,  and  the  sentences  read 
to  them  by  Adjt.  Carruthers,  at  3  P.  M.  on  the  6th.  The  time  of 
execution  was  fixed  for  3  P.  M.  on  February  7.  Every  precaution 
had  from  the  first  been  taken  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  prisoners, 
who  were  ironed  and  doubly  guarded.  Several  attempts  to  file  off 
the  irons  had  been  detected  and  frustrated.  During  the  night  of 
the  6th,  Goodrich,  being  attended  to  the  sink  by  a  corporal,  while 
returning  to  his  cell,  one  handcuff  not  having  been  refastened, 
suddenly  managed  to  throw  off  all  his  irons,  which  had  evi 
dently  been  cut  previously,  and  ran  past  the  guard.  The  corporal 
fired  after  him  and,  with  others  of  the  guard,  started  in  pursuit.  He 
eluded  them  in  the  darkness  and  made  his  escape. 

James  Wilson  and  James  Thompson  were  shot,  at  3  P.  M.,  on 
the  7th,  in  conformity  with  orders  received,  the  Regiment  being 
under  arms  and  formed  in  line  near  the  place  of  execution.  The 
citizens,  also,  were  assembled  to  witness  the  painful  scene.  A  de 
tail  of  twelve  men,  for  a  firing  party,  with  a  reserve  of  equal  num 
ber,  was  made.  This  solemn  and  deeply  painful  duty  was  met,  by 
those  whose  province  it  was  to  obey  the  orders,  with  quiet  firmness, 
impressive  of  the  stern  necessity  of  the  lesson.  The  prisoners  met 
their  fate  firmly  and  bravely. 

On  the  8th,  three  hundred  men  of  the  Regiment,  under  command 
of  Maj.  Pennypacker,  skirmished  the  entire  island,  from  the  picket 
lines  to  the  south  end,  searching  for  the  escaped  prisoner,  Goodrich, 
without  success.  This  force  passed  the  night  on  the  beach,  at  the 
end  of  the  island,  and  returned  to  camp  the  next  morning.  The 
search  was  continued,  by  the  patrol  and  a  detail  of  scouts,  for 
several  days.  Goodrich  remained  secreted,  in  a  dense  thicket, 
near  the  town,  until  the  12th,  when  he  was  encountered  by  the  pa 
trol,  in  the  woods,  and  recaptured  after  a  desperate  chase  and  resist 
ance,  being  several  times  slightly  wounded.  His  execution  was  de 
ferred  until  the  orders  of  the  department  head-quarters  could  be 


1863  1  EXPEDITION    TO    CAMP   COOPER.  231 

ascertained,  in  the  hope  of  a  commutation  of  his  sentence.  Orders 
were,  however,  received,  on  February  2(5,  to  have  the  sentence 
carried  out  within  twenty-four  hours.  lie  was  accordingly  executed, 
at  3  P.  M.,  on  the  27th,  under  similar  arrangements  and  attendance 
as  on  the  7th. 

On  the  9th,  a  detachment  of  two  hundred  and  ninety  men  of  the 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Maj.  Pennypacker,  crossed  to  the  main 
land,  at  the  railroad  bridge,  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  against  the 
enemy,  at  Camp  Cooper.  The  men  were  provided  with  two  days' 
cooked  rations,  forty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  marched  in  light 
marching  order.  At  dark,  Maj.  Pennypacker's  force  crossed  the 
stream,  and  was  ready  to  start  inland  at  8.30  P.  M. 

At  9  A.  M.,  on  the  same  day,  Capt.  Lewis,  of  Company  F,  with 
twenty-five  men  of  his  company  and  a  detachment  of  sailors,  from 
the  U.  S.  brig  Perry,  with  two  howitzers;  also  a  detachment  of 
men  from  the  naval  schooner  Para;  had  embarked  on  the  steamer 
Island  City,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  the  mouth  of  the  Nassau 
River  and  to  advance  up  that  river  about  fifty  miles,  by  its  course, 
to  a  point  opposite  to  Camp  Cooper,  to  co-operate  with  the  land 
forces,  under  command  of  Maj.  Pennypacker,  the  object  being  to 
withdraw  attention  from  the  approach  of  the  latter. 

During  the  trip  up  the  river,  shot  and  shell  were  fired  at  every 
point  where  rebel  pickets  might  be  lurking.  As  the  steamer  ap 
proached  a  large  sawmill  and  dwelling,  several  shots  were  fired. 
When  nearing  the  house,  a  white  flag  was  seen,  which,  upon  close 
inspection,  proved  to  be  a  white  petticoat  fastened  to  a  broomstick, 
vigorously  waved  by  a  young  lady,  who  stood  upon  a  pile  of  slab 
cuttings,  by  the  mill.  Firing  was  suspended  and  the  steamer  an 
chored.  Lieut.  Wainwright,  Company  F,  was  sent  ashore,  with 
some  men,  to  communicate  with  those  he  might  find  at  the  place. 
The  young  lady  met  him  and  conducted  him  to  the  house,  which 
he  entered,  and  found  another  lady  who  proved  to  be  a  Mrs.  Holmes, 
the  wife  of  the  mill  owner.  Lieut.  Wainwright,  observing  a  table 
set,  ready  for  tea,  for  six,  inquired  if  there  were  any  other  persons 
in  the  house.  Receiving  a  negative  reply,  he  inquired  why  she  had 
set  six  plates  upon  the  table  for  two  ladies.  She  became  confused, 
but  quickly  replied  that  she  expected  company  to  tea.  The  ladies 
were  then  taken  on  board  the  steamer,  to  prevent  their  communi 
cating  with  the  enemy.  The  steamer  then  proceeded  further  up 
the  river  to  a  well-protected  position  and  anchored,  for  the  night,  to 


232  HISTORY   OF   THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

await  the  operations  of  Maj.  Pennypacker.  The  next  morning,  the 
steamer  returned,  left  the  unwilling  lady  prisoners  at  their  house, 
and  passed  further  down  the  river,  to  make  connection  with  the 
land  force. 

Maj.  Pennypacker  advanced  along  the  railroad  about  four  miles, 
then  struck  off  to  the  left,  traversing  a  road  through  a  pine  wood 
for  several  miles,  again  came  upon  the  railroad,  his  march  being- 
guided  by  the  assistance  of  Sergt.  Nichols,  the  men  who  had  ex 
plored  the  route  with  him,  and  by  a  Mr.  Grisham  and  two  colored 
guides,  who  were  perfectly  familiar  with  the  locality;  crossed  the 
railroad  one  mile  from  Lofton  Bridge;  then  proceeded  along  what 
was  called  Hart  Road  until  passing  Lofton  Swamp,  the  headwaters 
of  Lofton  Creek,  where,  at  3  A.  M.,  Maj.  Pennypacker  ordered  a 
halt  and  sent  forward  a  reconnoitering  party,  in  addition  to  his  ad 
vance  guard,  to  examine  the  country.  The  scouts  soon  returned, 
reporting  that  Camp  Cooper  was  on  the  right  of  this  road,  about 
one  mile  in  advance. 

Maj.  Pennypacker  then  moved  his  battalion  silently  and  cau 
tiously  forward  and  formed  in  line  on  the  northwest  side  of  the 
camp,  disposing  his  force  so  as  to  close  in  upon  three  sides  of  it 
at  once.  His  scouts  reported  a  few  sentinels  on  camp  guard  and  a 
few  men  around  the  camp  fires.  At  the  first  dawn  of  daylight, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  led  his  force  upon  the  camp.  His  men,  sweeping 
through  it,  found  it  almost  deserted.  A  few  prisoners  and  their 
horses  were  captured,  from  whom  it  was  learned  that  the  force  sta 
tioned  there,  three  companies  of  the  East  Fla.  Cav.,  commanded  by 
Maj.  Harrison,  had  marched,  on  the  8th,  to  Camp  Finnigan,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Jacksonville.  The  camp  was  large  and  well  located. 
There  being  no  apprehension  of  an  attack,  but  few  men  had  been 
left  to  have  a  care  of  the  property,  consisting  of  a  small  amount 
of  inferior  stores  and  clothing.  These,  together  with  the  officers' 
quarters,  a  few  rude  shanties,  were  all  destroyed;  a  few  trophies, 
camp  utensils,  cavalry  sabres,  etc.,  were  secured  by  the  men. 

After  resting  for  an  hour,  the  force  started  to  return  to  Fernan- 
dina,  reaching  the  drawbridge  at  2  P.  M.  On  the  return  march, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  dispatched  Companies  B  and  K,  under  command 
of  Capt.  Savage,  of  Company  B,  to  communicate  with  Capt.  Lewis' 
force  on  the  Nassau  River,  at  Nassau  Mills,  and  return  with  him 
on  the  steamer.  On  the  return  trip,  the  forces  on  the  Island  City 
shelled  the  woods  on  both  sides  to  drive  away  the  rebel  guerrillas 


1864  1  CAPTURE   OF   CAMP  COOPER.  23U 

who  were  seen  lurking  along  the  hanks,  watching  for  opportunity  to 
fire  upon  the  men  crowded  on  the  steamer. 

Maj.  Pennypacker  also  dispatched  a  small  force  to  Clark's  rebel 
picket  station,  which  found  nothing  except  a  few  head  of  cattle  in 
corral.  The  soldiers  marched  well,  without  straggling. 

An  incident  occurred  during  this  expedition  which  is  worthy  of 
notice,  heing  but  little  known  in  the  Regiment  beyond  those  con 
cerned  in  the  matter.  As  the  steamer  lay  at  anchor,  in  Nassau 
River,  in  the  early  morning  sunlight,  the  glitter  of  bayonets  was 
noticed  far  over  the  marshes  up  the  river.  After  considerable  specu 
lation  in  reference  to  it,  in  connection  with  the  understanding  that 
the  land  forces  should  join  the  steamer  somewhere  on  the  river, 
Lieut.  Wainwright  was  directed  to  take  a  boat's  crew  of  five  sailors 
and  a  guard  of  soldiers  and  proceed  up  one  of  the  little  confluent 
streams  which  traverse  the  marshes,  make  a  landing  on  the  main 
land,  reconnoitre  the  position  and  ascertain  the  character  of  the 
force.  About  a  mile  from  the  steamer  a  landing  was  effected,  on  a 
sparsely  wooded  point  of  land,  considerably  covered  with  under 
growth. 

Leaving  the  sailors  with  the  boat,  Lieut.  Wainwright  deployed 
his  few  men.  His  left  protected  by  the  marsh,  but  his  right  un 
protected,  he  commenced  a  cautious  forward  movement  up  the  river. 
Before  getting  out  of  sight  of  his  boat  he  observed  men,  in  rebel 
uniforms,  advancing  around  his  right  flank,  completely  cutting  off 
his  retreat.  Turning  toward  the  boat,  he  observed  the  sailors,  who 
had  also  noticed  the  advancing  rebel  uniforms,  now  pulling  for  life 
toward  the  steamer  to  save  themselves.  The  situation  was  ex 
tremely  alarming  to  Lieut.  Wainwright  and  his  men.  The  pros 
pect  of  Libby  and  Andersonvillc  Prisons  became  more  inevitable  as 
still  other  rebel  uniforms  came  pouring  in  on  the  right,  but,  sin 
gular  enough,  now  mixed  with  the  Union  blue.  Close  observation 
proved  that  the  party  was  none  other  than  a  part  of  the  force  sent 
against  Camp  Cooper,  Companies  B  and  K,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  de 
tailed  by  Maj.  Pennypacker  to  join  the  force  on  Nassau  River  and 
for  whom  they  were  now  waiting.  The  men  had  captured,  among 
other  trophies,  some  rebel  uniforms,  which  they  had  donned  for  the 
fun  of  the  thing,  a  somewhat  dangerous  practical  joke,  which,  fortu 
nately,  resulted  without  harm.  A  hearty  laugh  was  indulged  in  all 
around.  The  sailors  were  signaled  to  return  with  the  boat,  which 
they  did  with  considerable  chagrin,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the 


234  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [February, 

whole  party.  The  two  companies  were  also  taken  on  board  the 
steamer,  which  returned  to  Fernandina  the  same  evening. 

Adjt.  Carruthers  accompanied  Maj.  Pennypacker  on  the  expedi 
tion  and  rendered  very  valuable  assistance.  The  guides — especially 
Mr.  E.  G.  Grisham — being  entirely  familiar  with  the  country,  their 
assistance  was  indispensable.  The  colored  guides,  Prince  and 
Charles,  also  rendered  efficient  service.  Had  the  expedition  been 
undertaken  a  few  days  earlier,  the  result  might  have  proved  more 
satisfactory.  The  march  embraced  a  circuit  of  fifty  miles  within 
twenty-four  hours.  The  force  reached  camp  at  10.30  P.  M.,  on  the 
10th,  the  men  quite  ready  for  a  night's  rest. 

It  had  been  determined,  by  Gen.  Gillmore,  to  send  an  expedi 
tion  to  Woodstock  Mills  and  King's  Ferry  Mills,  on  the  St.  Mary's 
River,  Ga.,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  lumber  and  mill  gearing  to 
be  used  in  the  department.  The  command  of  the  land  force  was 
given  to  Maj.  Pennypacker,  Avho  received  orders  from  Col.  Guss  to 
march  with  about  three  hundred  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  He  had  also 
received  written  orders  from  Maj.  T.  B.  Brooks,  aid-de-camp  to  Gen. 
Gillmore,  in  regard  to  the  expedition.  That  officer  started  up  the 
St.  Mary's  River  with  the  transports,  accompanied  by  the  U.  S. 
naval  schooner  Para,  commanded  by  Act'g  Master  E.  G.  Furber, 
the  expedition  being  under  the  direction  of  Maj.  Brooks. 

On  February  15,  the  land  force  left  Fernandina,  provided  with 
two  days'  cooked  rations,  forty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  in  lignt 
marching  order,  again  accompanied  by  the  guides,  Mr.  Grisham  and 
the  negroes,  Prince  and  Charles;  crossed  on  the  Island  City  to 
Clark's  Landing,  on  Amelia  river,  opposite  Fernandina,  and  half  an 
hour  before  daylight  commenced  the  march  toward  the  Mills,  dis 
tant  nearly  thirty-three  miles.  The  march  was  made  in  good  order, 
having  flankers  and  an  advance  guard  well  out,  no  straggling  being 
permitted.  Persons  living  along  the  road,  who  could  give  informa 
tion,  were  obliged  to  march  with  the  column  until  it  arrived  at  its 
destination,  which  was  reached  at  sunset.  It  was  a  hard  day's 
march  and  the  road  unusually  difficult.  The  men  became  somewhat 
jaded  and  footsore,  but  the  march  was  not  materially  retarded. 
When  within  two  miles  of  the  Mills,  twenty  picked  men,  under 
Lieut.  CosgrifF,  Company  F,  were  sent  forward,  through  bypaths,  to 
surprise  and  capture  the  enemy's  picket  post,  supposed  to  be  sta 
tioned  at  the  Mills.  The  object  was  to  prevent  the  lumber  being 
fired,  it  having  been  reported  that  a  picket  was  kept  on  the  watch, 


1864  J        EXPEDITION    TO    WOODSTOCK    AND   KING'S   FERRY   MILLS. 

with  orders  to  burn  the  lumber  and  mills  on  the  approach  of  any 
Union  force.  Lieut.  Cosgriff  and  his  men  reached  there  without 
encountering  any  force  and  in  ample  time  to  baffle  any  attempt  to 
destroy  the  property  by  the  residents.  Upon  the  arrival  of  Maj. 
Pennypacker's  command,  he  threw  out  pickets  along  the  river  for 
nearly  a  mile;  also  on  the  Georgia  side  for  half  a  mile,  and  the 
same  distance  to  the  rear  of  his  position,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river  posted  guards  for  the  protection  of  private  property,  and  then 
bivouacked  his  command. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  men,  under  direction  of  Mr.  Sharp, 
an  experienced  raftsman,  set  to  work  building  rails  of  the  lumber 
found  at  Woodstock  Mills,  said  to  belong  to  the  estate  of  Mr.  Edwin 
Alberti,  deceased.  Experienced  negro  raftsmen  also  accompanied 
the  expedition  to  assist  in  making  rafts. 

Picket  duty  was  constantly  maintained  to  guard  against  surprise, 
requiring  active  vigilance,  being  far  from  support  in  the  enemy's 
country.  Upon  one  occasion,  while  Company  A  was  on  picket,  on 
the  road  leading  toward  Jacksonville,  about  midnight,  the  sound  of 
approaching  steps  was  heard  by  the  guard  on  duty,  and  a  mass  of 
moving  objects  could  be  discerned  in  the  darkness.  The  number 
seemed  to  indicate  a  body  of  troops  coming  cautiously  toward  the 
line.  Leveling  his  piece,  the  guard  commanded  a  "halt!"  in  a  loud 
determined  tone,  intending  to  fire  if  the  command  was  not  instantly 
complied  with.  It  was,  however,  promptly  obeyed.  "  Who  comes 
there  ? "  was  called  by  the  guard.  The  response  rang  out  upon  the 
midnight  air,  "  Oh,  massa,  we  is  colored  people."  It  was  ascertained 
to  be  a  party  of  eleven  contrabands,  men,  women  and  children, 
ragged,  hungry  and  cold,  seeking  a  refuge  from  the  unrelenting 
fetters  of  a  merciless  bondage.  They  were  sent  to  head-quarters 
and  provided  with  food  and  shelter,  much  to  their  delight  and  grati 
tude. 

Maj.  Brooks,  with  the  transports,  reached  the  Mills  during  the 
afternoon  of  the  16th.  Under  his  direction,  the  work  was  continued 
until  the  20th,  when  he  relinquished  the  charge  of  the  entire  com 
mand  to  Maj.  Pennypacker  and  returned  to  Fernandina.  A  large 
amount  of  lumber,  most  of  it  very  valuable,  was  sent  to  Fernan 
dina,  from  the  Woodstock  and  King's  Ferry  Mills,  near  to  the 
former.  The  property  at  the  latter  was  said  to  have  belonged  to 
a  Mr.  Germond,  whose  abandoned  residence  was  near  by. 

Lieut.  J.  T.  Skiles,  Company  B,  served  as  acting  adjutant.     Asst. 


236  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

Surgeon  W.  C.  Morrison  accompanied  the  detachment  to  give  the 
requisite  attention  to  those  who  might  require  his  services. 

Two  rebel  deserters,  four  refugees  and  about  twenty-five  negroes 
came  inside  the  lines  at  the  Mills,  and  were  sent  to  Fernandina  to 
report  to  the  provost  marshal.  Two  prisoners,  captured  on  the 
march  to  the  Mills,  were  also  sent  under  guard  to  the  provost  mar 
shal.  They  were  supposed  to  belong  to  the  rebel  army,  but  were 
subsequently  released. 

While  operating  at  Woodstock  Mills,  Maj.  Pennypacker  dis 
patched  Company  F,  under  command  of  Capt.  Lewis,  on  a  raid  on 
the  Georgia  side  of  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  effectually  destroy 
ing  the  telegraph  communication  between  Tallahassa,  Fla.,  and  Sa 
vannah,  Ga.  It  had  already  been  cut  in  one  or  two  places,  but 
communication  had  been  kept  up  by  a  new  and  temporary  connec 
tion  that  eluded  discovery.  The  object  was  successfully  accomplished 
by  following  the  line  from  Traders'  Hill,  near  King's  Ferry  Mills, 
along  the  river  and  across  the  swamps  for  a  distance  of  nearly  fifteen 
miles  without  interruption  by  the  enemy.  The  new  connection  was 
finally  discovered  at  a  point  where  a  wire  branched  off  into  a  hollow 
tree  so  close  to  the  line  as  to  almost  defy  detection.  The  wire  led  off 
from  the  roots  of  the  tree  into  the  swamp,  and  thence  by  a  concealed 
route  to  reconnect  with  the  line  beyond  the  part  destroyed.  A 
rebel  mail  carrier  was  captured  during  the  raid  and  his  mail  secured. 
On  the  return  march,  a  portion  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Clinch's  command 
was  ascertained  to  be  making  an  attempt  to  intercept  Capt.  Lewis' 
command,  but  he  effected  his  return  to  the  Mills  in  safety. 

On  February  22,  Maj.  Pennypacker  received  orders  to  return  with 
his  entire  force  to  Fernandina  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The  order 
was  in  consequence  of  the  disaster  to  the  forces  under  Gen.  Seymour, 
at  Olustee,  Fla.,  on  February  20.  During  the  preparations  for  de 
parture,  a  rebel  cavalry  force,  that  had  several  times  appeared  on  the 
Georgia  side  approaching  the  line  of  pickets  for  the  purpose  of  ob 
servation,  made  some  demonstrations  of  advance.  Maj.  Pennypacker 
sent  Company  B,  with  ten  men  of  Company  A,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Savage,  Company  B,  across  the  St.  Mary's  River  to  reconnoi 
tre  the  situation  beyond  the  picket.  After  going  a  short  distance, 
they  encountered  and  drove  in  rebel  pickets,  consisting  of  cavalry 
and  infantry.  Going  some  distance  further  without  meeting  any 
larger  force,  Capt.  Savage  returned,  having  three  men  of  Company 
B  wounded  slightly,  viz.:  Corp.  James  Jackson,  in  foot,  Private 


EXPEDITION   TO   WOODSTOCK   AND   KING'S   FERRY   MILLS.          237 

Henry  A.  Lamping,  in  left  ankle,  and  Private  Joseph  Schrobenthal, 
in  foot. 

Having  embarked  his  troops  on  the  steamers  Island  City  and 
Harriet  A.  Weed,  Maj.  Pennypacker  started  to  return,  the 
schooner  Para  being  taken  in  tow  by  the  Harriet  A.  Weed.  Four 
rafts,  that  were  ready  to  have  been  towed  down  the  river,  were  cut 
adrift  in  order  that  they  might  float  down  with  the  tide.  The  ex 
pedition  reached  Fernandina,  on  the  23d,  without  casualty  during 
the  absence  of  the  force  except  the  instances  previously  noted. 

About  one  million  five  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber  had  been 
secured  by  the  troops.  „ 

The  schooner  Para  captured  a  small  river  steamer,  named  Hard 
Times,  of  little  value — a  kind  of  scow  with  a  small  engine.  While 
on  the  expedition,  rations  were  sometimes  short,  when  some  com 
plaint,  mingled  with  many  very  amusing  practical  jokes,  occurred 
among  the  men;  they  were,  however,  always  obedient  and  cheerful, 
being  disposed  to  make  the  best  of  circumstances. 

An  account  of  the  expedition  which  appeared  in  the  New  South, 
a  paper  published  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  dated  March  5,  1864,  is 
mainly  correct  in  its  statements: 

"Oue  of  the  most  successful  raids,  for  one  executed  by  a  small  force  of  men, 
that  has  taken  place  in  this  department,  was  accomplished  by  the  97th  Pennsyl 
vania  Regiment  in  the  early  part  of  last  week.  The  entire  expedition  was  under 
the  command  of  Maj.  Brooks,  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  staff.  It  was  so  planned  that 
the  troops  comprising  the  expedition  should  reach  the  point  of  destination  at 
about  the  same  time  as  did  the  Independent  Battalion,  Mass.  Cav.,  under  the 
command  of  Maj.  Stevens,  which  started  from  Barber's,  Fla.,  on  Sunday  morning, 
February  1-t. 

"At  uight,  of  the  same  day,  three  hundred  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  commanded 
by  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker,  crossed  the  river  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  to  the  opposite 
shore.  They  then  marched  up  that  side  of  the  St.  Mary's  River,  keeping 
as  near  its  bank  as  practicable,  until  they  came  to  King's  Ferry,  the  point  of 
destination  and  which  is  distant  from  Fernandina  forty-five  miles.  On  the  march 
up  they  met  with  uo  opposition,  although  they  expected  and  were  prepared  to 
encounter  more  or  less  of  the  (Juemy. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  following  Tuesday,  two  hundred  others,  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  embarked  on  board  four  army  transports,  including  the  Harriet  A.  Weed, 
which  carried  three  guns,  and  proceeded  up  the  St.  Mary's  River,  also  bound  for 
King's  Ferry.  The  transports  were  accompanied  by  one  mortar  schooner,  the 
Para.  Maj.  Brooks  went  with  the  river  force,  on  the  Harriet  A.  Weld.  On  the 
passage  up  the  river,  several  shots  were  fired  into  the  woods,  on  either  side,  for 
the  purpose  of  annoying  the  enemy,  but  the  firing  failed  to  bring  any  rebels  to 
Tiew.  *  *  * 


238  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

"  The  main  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  seize  a  large  quantity  of  lumber  that 
was  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ferry,  information  of  which  had  reached  Gen  Gillmore, 
who  ordered  the  raid  to  be  made.  In  this  respect,  the  expedition  could  not  have 
been  more  successful.  At  the  ferry  above,  was  found  seven  hundred  thousand 
feet  of  the  best  prepared  pine,  and,  about  six  miles  further  up,  an  additional  eight 
hundred  thousand  feet.  A  widow  lady,  Mrs.  Alberti,  claims  ownership  of  the 
lumber  at  the  ferry.  She  resides  there  and  professes  to  be  a  strong  adherent  to 
the  Union.  She  said  three  years  ago  she  could  have  readily  disposed  of  the 
lumber  for  $50,000.  Her  case  will,  of  course,  be  investigated  and  her  claim  re 
ceive  due  attention. 

"In  five  days,  fully  one  half  of  the  lumber  had  been  rafted  and  towed  down 
to  Feruandina.  Besides  the  rafts  of  lumber,  the  decks  of  the  steamers  were 
loaded.  St.  Mary's  River  being  very  serpentine,  it  was  by  no  means  an  easy 
matter  to  pilot  a  steamer  with  rafts  in  tow.  In  one  instance,  a  raft  became  de 
tached  and  floated  under  the  wheels  of  the  Nelly  Baker,  causing  a  breakage  of 
three  paddles;  the  accident,  however,  did  not  prevent  the  steamer  from  pro 
ceeding  on  her  trip." 

Another  account  of  the  expedition  appeared,  February  25,  1864, 
in  the  Peninsular,  a  paper  published  at  Fernandina,  Fla.  After 
giving  a  description  of  the  mills  and  the  object  of  the  expedition, 
thus  refers  to  the  part  performed  by  the  97th  P.  V.: 

"*  To  prevent  the  destruction  of  the  property  by  the  rebels,  on 

the  approach  of  our  boats,  *a  detachment,  from  the  97th  P.  Y.,  under  command 
of  that  brave  and  accomplished  young  officer,  Maj.  Gr.  Pennypacker,  of  that 
Regiment,  was  dispatched  overland,  a  distance  of  nearly  forty  miles,  through 
ponds,  creeks  and  woods,  accomplishing  the  entire  distance  in  about  twelve 
hours,  capturing  on  their  way  the  notorious  guerilla,  Capt.  Wilds,  who  strenu 
ously  denied  that  he  was  the  man,  but  was  forced  to  yield  himself  up,  on  the 
testimony  of  a  man  who  had  formerly  been  his  slave,  and  who  clinched  the 
matter  with:  'You  tink  I  don't  knovy  you,  when  you  own  me  so  long?' 

"The  detachment  arrived  in  time  and  secured  possession  of  the  property.  The 
boats  steamed  their  way  slowly  up  the  river,  shelling  all  suspicious  places  on  the 
banks  as  they  advanced.  On  their  arrival,  the  men  were  immediately  put  to 
work  constructing  rafts,  loading  the  boats  and  some  scows  found  there. 

"At  this  time,  the  best  portion  of  the  lumber  has  been  landed  at  the  wharves 
here  and  at  Hilton  Head,  a  vessel  load  having, been  sent  to  that  place.  The 
success  of  the  expedition  is  in  striking  contrast  with  similar  ones,  planned  at  a 
previous  period,  by  different  parties,  for  the  St.  John's,  which  resulted  in  giving 
the  rebels  timely  notice  of  their  approach  so  that  they  kindled  large  fires  in 
honor  of  their  coming,  which,  unfortunately,  consumed  not  only  the  lumber  but 
the  mills  which  sawed  it  *  *  *" 

During  the  absence  of  Maj.  Pennypacker's  command,  the  other 
companies  of  the  Regiment  were  paid,  on  February  19,  by  Maj. 


1864.]          RETURN   FROM    WOODSTOCK    AND   KING'S   FERRY    MILLS.  239 

Edmund  J.  Porter,  paymaster  U.  S.  Vols.,  who  remained  until  the 
return  of  the  St.  Mary's  expedition,  when  those  companies  were 
also  paid  for  the  two  months  ending  December  31.  18G3.  Maj. 
Porter  was  an  agreeable,  accommodating  gentleman,  very  pleasing 
to  the  men.  Desirous  of  avoiding  mistakes,  he  insisted  upon  their 
counting  their  money  before  leaving  the  pay  table. 

On  February  20,  Brev.  Lieut  Cols.  Michael  R.  Morgan  and 
Richard  R.  Jackson,  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  staff,  the  latter  inspector 
general  of  the  department,  inspected  the  sanitary  condition  of  the 
post  hospital.  They  pronounced  it  in  the  best  condition  of  any 
visited  by  them  and  complimented  Dr.  Everhart,  post  surgeon,  very 
highly  for  admirable  management  and  success  in  bringing  his  de 
partment  into  such  order  and  excellent  condition.  The  post  hos 
pital  and  regimental  quarters  were  inspected,  on  previous  occasions, 
by  Lieut.  Col.  Peter  Pino,  medical  inspector,  U.  S.  A.,  and  Surgeons 
Horace  R.  Wirtz  and  Ebenezer  Swift,  U.  S.  A.,  all  of  whom  attested 
their  high  appreciation  of  the  excellent  sanitary  condition  at  the 
post.  Adj.  Carruthers,  acting  assistant  inspector  general  of  the  post, 
regularly  inspected  the  quarters,  company  and  regimental  property 
and  all  public  departments  at  the  post. 

On  February  21,  news  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Seymour,  at  Olustee, 
on  the  2()th,  reached  Fernandina.  This  intelligence  caused  the  with 
drawal  of  Maj.  Penny  packer's  command  from  Woodstock  Mills,  as 
already  stated.  Reaching  Fernandina  late  on  the  evening  of  the 
23d,  the  naval  vessels  incautiously  fired  their  guns,  shot  and  shell 
charged,  across  the  swamps,  causing  considerable  alarm  at  the  post 
which  for  a  time  created  apprehensions  of  attack  by  the  enemy. 

Subsequently,  a  reconnoisance  was  made  up  the  St.  Mary's  River, 
by  the  steamer  Island  City,  having  on  board  Company  F  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  commanded  by  Capt  D.  W.  C.  Lewis.  At  the  village  of 
St.  Mary's,  they  encountered  and  drove  away  the  enemy's  pickets 
and  brought  off  a  large  boiler-iron  chimney  from  one  of  the  mills 
in  that  place,  which  was  sent  to  Jacksonville,  for  use  in  one  of  the 
government  sawmills  there.  After  procuring  the  chimney,  the 
steamer  proceeded  several  miles  up  the  river  searching  for  the  rafts 
of  lumber  that  had  been  set  adrift  when  the  forces  left  Woodstock 
Mills. 

On  February  24,  Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  having  received  a 
short  leave  of  absence,  his  first  since  entering  the  service,  started 
home. 


240  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

On  February  25,  Lieut.  John  McGrath  was  relieved  from  duty,  in 
the  commissary  department,  by  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne,  Company  D. 

On  the  26th,  the  men  who  had  received  furloughs  in  January  re 
turned  to  the  Regiment. 

During  February,  there  was  but  one  man  discharged,  Chandler 
Miller,  substitute,  of  Company  C,  by  order  of  Secretary  of  War, 
Special  Order  No.  51,  dated  War  Department,  Adjutant  General's 
Office,  Washington,  D.  C.,  February  2,  1864.  He  was  under 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  had  entered  the  service  without  the  con 
sent  of  his  parents. 

Daniel  Morgan,  Company  E,  died,  on  the  26th,  of  consumption. 

On  March  5,  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  and  Capt.  Price,  provost  marshal, 
with  part  of  Company  C,  on  the  steamer  Island  City,  went  to  Clark's 
Landing,  having  with  them  a  refugee  from  the  rebel  district  who 
came  over  at  the  railroad  bridge,  on  the  2d.  He  had  arranged  with 
his  family,  before  leaving  them,  to  come  to  Clark's  at  that  time. 
For  some  cause  they  failed  to  get  there.  They  subsequently  came, 
and,  making  signals  which  were  observed,  a  boat  was  dispatched 
which  brought  them  safely  to  Fernandina. 

On  the  12th,  Conscript  William  Wilkins,  Company  C,  who  had 
several  times  attempted  to  desert,  and  had  been  kept  in  confinement 
for  a  time,  managed  to  elude  the  guard  and  secret  himself  upon  the 
steamer  Boston  before  leaving  the  wharf  for  Jacksonville.  When 
it  was  discovered  that  he  was  missing,  a  boat  was  sent  through  the 
inland  channel,  Back  River,  to  intercept  the  Boston  on  the  St.  John's 
River.  The  pursuing  party,  commanded  by  Lieut.  F.  J.  Eachus, 
Company  C,  met  the  Boston,  but  failed  to  find  the  deserter,  who 
was  never  recaptured.  It  is  supposed  he  managed  to  effectually  con 
ceal  his  presence  on  the  boat,  and  escaped  to  the  enemy,  at  Jackson 
ville.  Capt.  Johnson  afforded  every  facility  for  this  search,  and 
there  was  no  blame  attached  to  any  of  his  officers,  the  conceal 
ment  being  wholly  a  success  of  the  deserter,  aided  perhaps  by  some 
of  the  subordinates  among  the  crew. 

Early  in  January,  1864,  efforts  were  made  by  the  War  Depart 
ment  to  induce  the  men,  whose  term  of  service  would  expire  during 
the  current  year,  to  re-enlist  as  veterans.  General  Order  No.  190, 
dated  Adjutant  General's  Office,  War  Department,  Washington,  D. 
C.,  June  25,  1863,  authorized  the  re-enlistment  of  men  who  had  less 
than  one  year  to  serve.  The  order  not  being  fully  promulgated  in 
the  department  until  late  in  November,  but  few  men  had  re-enlisted. 


1SC4J  FERNANDINA.       RE-ENLISTMENT   OF    VETERANS.  241 

With  a  view  to  more  active  interest  in  this  direction,  it  was  deter 
mined  to  appoint  a  recruiting  officer  for  each  regiment  that  had 
served  over  two  years.  To  this  duty,  1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles, 
Company  B,  was  appointed  about  January  1:2.  Additional  induce 
ments  of  bounty  and  a  thirty  days'  furlough  were  announced.  Great 
interest  began  now  to  be  manifested  by  the  men.  The  time  of  re- 
enlistment  having  been  extended  to  March  1,  three  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  of  the  men  originally  enlisted,  and  recruits,  who  had 
served  over  two  years,  now  re-enlisted  for  three  years  or  during  the 
war.  A  large  number  of  the  recruits,  who  had  not  quite  reached 
the  requisite  time  of  service,  were  desirous  of  re-enlisting,  but  could 
not  do  so  under  the  order.  The  number  re-enlisted  in  each  com 
pany  was  as  follows:  Company  A,  twenty-one;  Company  B,  forty- 
three;  Company  C,  ten;  Company  D, fifty-one;  Company  E,  twenty- 
five;  Company  F,  forty-five;  Company  G,  thirty-five,  Company  H, 
thirty-two;  Company  I,  thirty-six;  Company  K,  thirty-seven;  non 
commissioned  staff,  one;  total,  three  hundred  and  thirty-seven.  In 
some  of  the  companies,  the  re-enlistments  included  every  eligible 
man  who  passed  the  surgeon's  examination. 

On  March  16,  the  veterans  were  remustered  into  the  service  (to 
date  from  the  day  previous  to  enrollment  as  veterans)  by  1st  Lieut. 
Martin  Van  Buren  Richardson,  4th  N.  H.  Vols.,  assistant  commis 
sary  of  musters,  who  came  to  the  post  for  the  purpose,  the  men 
each  receiving  a  discharge  before  being  remustered.  The  non-com 
missioned  officers  were  reappointed,  to  date  from  re-enlistment,  new 
warrants  being  issued  by  the  colonel  commanding. 

On  March  27,  the  veterans,  under  command  of  Capt.  William  S. 
Mendenhall,  Company  D,  embarked  on  the  steamer  Delaware  to 
proceed  to  Hilton  Head,  to  take  passage  for  New  York.  Their  fur 
loughs,  of  thirty  days,  were  to  date  from  the  time  of  arrival  at 
West  Chester,  to  be  duly  issued  by  their  company  officers.  The 
names  of  these  veterans  will  be  found  properly  designated  upon  the 
record  rolls. 

As  the  veterans  left  the  harbor  of  Fernandina,  on  the  evening  of 
the  27th,  they  were  heartily  cheered  by  their  comrades,  who  reluc 
tantly  remained  behind.  The  following  officers  of  the  Regiment 
accompanied  the  veterans  upon  their  return :  Ass't  Surgeon  Morri 
son;  Capt.  Savage  and  Lieut.  Skiles,  Company  B;  Licuts.  Eachus, 
•Jompany  C;  Wainwright,  Company  F;  Yarnall,  Company  G. 
They  remained  encamped  at  Hilton  Head  about  a  week,  during 
16 


242  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

which  time  they  received  their  pay  and  bounty.  Before  starting, 
they  were  joined  by  Col.  Guss  and  Adjt.  Carruthers,  who  had  each 
received  a  leave  of  absence  to  accompany  the  veterans  home,  this 
being  the  first  time  Col.  Guss  had  been  absent  from  his  command 
since  entering  the  service.  His  daughter  and  cousin,  Mrs.  War 
ner,  who  had  spent  the  winter  with  him,  at  Fernandina,  also  re 
turned  home. 

Lieut.  Col.  Duer  went  to  Hilton  Head,  at  this  time,  to  confer 
with  the  department  commander,  in  regard  to  his  resignation,  ten 
dered  some  time  previously. 

When  leave  of  absence  was  granted  to  Post  Adjt.  H.  W.  Car- 
rruthes,  2d  Lieut.  Henry  Kauffman,  Jr.,  Company  C,  was  detailed, 
by  order  of  Col.  H.  II.  Guss,  as  acting  post  adjutant  and  acting  ad 
jutant  97th  P.  V.  until  the  return  of  Adjt.  Carruthers. 

During  March,  1864,  there  were  no  discharges  nor  any  deaths  in 
the  Regiment. 

Upon  the  departure  of  Col.  Guss,  from  Fernandina,  on  April  2, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  assumed  command  of  the  post,  pursuant  to  the 
following  order: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  U.  S.  FORCES,  FERNANDINA,  FLA.,  April  2, 1864. 
General  Orders  No.  10: 

The  undersigned,  being  the  senior  officer  at  the  post,  hereby  as 
sumes  command  of  the  U.  S.  forces  at  Fernandina,  Fla. 

All  existing  orders  will  continue  in  force  until  formally  rescinded 
or  modified  by  subsequent  orders. 

[Signed]  G.  PENNYPACKER, 

Major  97th  P.  V.,  Comdt.  Post. 

Lieut.  Col.  Duer  returned  to  Fernandina,  about  April  5,  but  did 
not  assume  command  at  the  post.  Having  tendered  his  resigna 
tion,  on  account  of  a  chronic  complaint,  necessitating  a  change  of 
climate,  he  was  in  daily  expectation  of  receiving  notice  of  its  ac 
ceptance.  This  notice  being  received  about  the  7th,  he  was  honor 
ably  discharged  the  service  and  returned  home  on  the  9th. 

The  vacancy  occasioned  by  his  resignation  was  filled  by  the  pro 
motion  of  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker  to  lieutenant  colonel.  The  senior 
captain,  Isaiah  Price,  Company  C,  was  then  promoted  to  major  of 
the  Regiment.  Some  delay  occurred  in  forwarding  their  commis 
sions  Those  officers,  however,  entered  upon  the  duties  of  their  ap- 


KERNANDINA.       RESIGNATIONS   AND    PROMOTIONS.  243 

pointment  and  were  subsequently  authorized  to  take  rank  in  their 
respective  grades  from  April  3,  18(>4.  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  also 
promoted  to  captain,  Company  C,  but  owing  to  the  delay  referred 
to  in  receiving  commissions,  and  being  subsequently  prevented  from 
muster,  by  casualties  that  delayed  tin1  muster  of  the  above-named 
field  officers,  he  continued  to  perform  the  duties  of  adjutant. 

The  usual  post  and  garrison  duty  was  continued  without  particular 
incident  to  note. 

On  April  10,  ten  enlisted  men  were  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate  of  disability.  One  of  the  number,  Private  Jacob  H. 
Bavington,  Company  A,  being  unable  to  leave  his  bed,  died,  ten 
days  later,  of  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs.  Alexander  Graham,  sub 
stitute  of  Company  II,  died,  of  heart  disease,  same  date.  When  the 
Regiment  was  relieved,  at  Fernandina,  another  substitute,  Samuel 
Stillwell,  Company  F,  was  left  at  Fort  Clinch,  under  sentence  of 
court-martial,  having  refused  to  perform  duty.  lie  died  of  con 
sumption.  These  men  were  buried  in  the  cemetery  near  Old  Town. 

On  April  13,  2d  Lieut,  Henry  Odiorne,  Company  D,  acting  post 
commissary,  since  February  25,  was  relieved,  by  order  of  Gen.  Gill- 
more  and  directed  to  report  to  Capt.  and  Brev.  Lieut.  Col.  Michael 
11.  Morgan,  U.  S.  A.,  chief  commissary  of  subsistence  at  Hilton 
Head,  by  whom  he  was  detailed  as  acting  commissary  of  subsistence 
of  the  2d  brigade,  1st  division,  10th  Corps,  upon  which  duty  he 
continued  until  about  August  1. 

On  the  18th,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Maj.  E.  J.  Porter,  pay 
master  U.  S.  Vols.,  for  the  two  months  ending  February  29,  1864. 

Previous  promotions  of  line  officers  had  now  made  vacancies 
for  the  advancement  of  a  number  of  worthy  non-commissioned  offi 
cers.  Commissions  were  received  for  the  following,  several  of  whom 
were  absent  on  veteran  furlough:  1st  Sergt.  Abel  Griffith,  Company 
A,  to  be  1st  lieutenant,  vice  Peace,  resigned;  Sergt.  Isaac  J.  Bur 
ton,  same  company,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice  Weber,  transferred; 
1st  Sergt.  Jacob  G.  Lowry,  Company  B,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice 
Skiles,  promoted;  1st  Sergt.  George  W.  Duff'ee,  Company  I,  to  be 
2d  lieutenant,  vice  Knapp,  resigned;  1st  Lieut.  Samuel  V.  Black, 
Company  K,  to  be  captain,  vice  Wayne,  resigned;  1st  Sergt.  Levi 
L.  March,  same  company,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice  2d  Lieut.  Samuel 
V.  Black,  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant.  Several  of  these  appoint 
ments  had  been  announced  some  time  previously;  the  commissions 
being  delayed,  a  second  promotion  in  some  instances  occurred. 


244  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

On  April  22,  the  steamer  Monohansett  arrived  at  Fernandina, 
having  on  board  the  157th  N.  Y.,  commanded  by  Col.  P.  P.  Brown, 
with  orders  to  relieve  the  97th  P.  V. 

Maj.  Pennypacker  then  issued  the  following  order  to  his  com 
mand  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  U.  S.  FORCES,  FERNANDINA,  FLA.,  April  22, 1864. 
General  Orders  No.  13. 

The  97th  P.  V.,  now  at  this  post,  having  been  ordered  to  be  re 
lieved  by  the  157th  N.  Y.,  commanding  officers  of  companies  and 
detachments  will  at  once  prepare  their  commands  for  departure. 
Four  (4)  days'  cooked  rations  will  be  provided,  two  (2)  days  of 
which  will  be  in  haversacks. 

Staff  officers,  accountable  for  public  property  belonging  to  the 
post,  will  turn  over  such  property  to  their  respective  successors. 
This  will  be  accomplished  as  expeditiously  as  possible. 

Officers  commanding  outposts,  provost  or  picket  guards,  will  care 
fully  turn  over  all  written  and  oral  instructions  when  relieved;  and, 
after  loading  their  baggage  upon  the  wagons  sent  to  them,  march 
their  commands,  if  detachments,  to  their  respective  company  head 
quarters;  if  companies,  to  the  camp  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  at  this  place. 

Companies  A  and  G  will  go  on  board  the  transport  at  Sear's 
Dock;  the  other  companies  at  Fernandina. 

Surplus  ordnance  stores  will  be  carefully  packed,  in  order  that 
they  may  not  be  injured  by  transportation.  Baggage,  other  than 
company  and  regimental  property,  will  be  reduced  as  much  as 
possible;  nothing  to  be  taken  that  is  not  essentially  requisite. 

All  officers  and  enlisted  men  on  special  or  daily  duty  at,  or  who 
are  detailed  by  orders  from  the  head-quarters  of  this  post  are  here 
by  relieved,  and  will  report  as  soon  as  practicable  to  their  imme 
diate  commanders. 

By  order  of  MAJ.  G.  PENNYPACKER. 

[Signed]  HENRY  KAUFFMAN,  JR., 

2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Post  Adj. 

In  conformity  with  the  foregoing  order,  the  officers  therein  en 
joined  promptly  fulfilled  its  requirements  and  were  ready  to  embark, 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  within  about  twenty  hours  after 
notification;  all  having  their  accounts,  papers,  etc.,  properly  made 
out  and  the  property  duly  transferred  to  their  respective  successors. 


1864-1  DEPARTURE   FROM    FERNANDINA.  245 

In  addition  to  the  property  and  responsibilities  transferred  by  the 
provost  marshal,  there  were  one  hundred  and  nine  prisoners  in  his 
charge  to  be  turned  over  to  his  successor,  Capt.  J.  Clayton  Atwater, 
157th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  with  a  list  of  the  names,  company  and  regiment 
of  each  man,  with  the  papers  recording  the  action  of  the  courts- 
martial  in  each  case. 

Mr.  John  F.  Forrest,  regimental  sutler,  remained  behind  to  close 
up  his  business  and  dispose  of  his  stock.  He  did  not  again  rejoin 
the  Regiment.  After  returning  home,  he  engaged  in  business,  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  continues  at  the  present  time. 

Having  been  duly  relieved  by  the  157th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  the  97th 
P.  V.  embarked  on  the  steamer  Monohansett,  during  the  afternoon 
of  the  23d,  and  was  ready  to  go  to  sea  at  5  P.  M.;  but  the  weather 
being  very  rough,  the  steamer  small  and  quite  crowded,  it  was  de 
cided  to  anchor  off  Old  Fernandina  for  the  night. 

At  6  A.  M.,  on  Sunday,  the  24th,  though  still  cloudy  and  rough, 
started  to  sea,  ran  out  about  ten  miles,  but,  the  storm  being  on  the 
increase,  the  steamer  was  put  about  to  return.  A  dense  fog  soon 
settled  upon  the  coast,  rendering  it  impossible  to  sight  the  buoys  at 
the  entrance  to  the  harbor.  Fortunately,  the  steamer  ran  close  on 
the  outer  one,  which  enabled  the  pilot  to  make  the  entrance,  thus 
narrowly  avoiding  a  perilous  time  in  the  fog  on  a  treacherous  coast. 

At  5  P.  M.,  the  weather  being  clear,  though  the  sea  was  still 
quite  rough,  the  steamer  was  again  started  for  Port  Royal.  After 
a  rough  and  uncomfortable  night  at  sea,  on  a  small,  overcrowded, 
unseaworthy  craft,  the  Regiment  arrived  safely  at  Hilton  Head,  at 
10  A.  M.,  on  April  25,  where  the  steamer  cast  anchor  in  the  home 
like  harbor  of  Port  Royal. 


246 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[April, 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES;  CAPTURE  OF  CITY  POINT;  ADVANCE  THROUGH 
BERMUDA  HUNDRED;  RICHMOND  AND  PETERSBURG  RAILROAD  AND 
TELEGRAPH  DESTROYED;  SWIFT  CREEK,  DRURY'S  BLUFF,  FORT 
DARLING  AND  FOSTER'S  PLACE;  APRIL  25  TO  MAY  20,  1864. 

PON  reporting  his  arrival  at  head-quarters,  Lieut. 
Col.  Pennypacker  received  orders  to  transfer  his 
Regiment  to  the  splendid  ocean  steamer  North 
Star,  on  board  of  which  the  3d  N.  H.,  embarked 
at  the  same  time.  Being  the  senior  officer  in 
rank,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  assumed  command 
of  the  troops  on  board,  having  received  directions 
to  proceed  to  Fortress  Monroe,  to  join  the  main 
portion  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  command,  then  ordered 
to  Virginia  to  take  part  in  movements  being  organized  there.  The 
steamer  started  at  10  A.  M.  on  the  26th.  While  the  men  were 
being  transferred  to  the  North  Star,  it  became  evident  that  some  of 
the  conscripts  and  substitutes  had  obtained  access  to  a  supply  of 
whisky.  Very  soon,  scenes  of  wild  disorder  commenced  below, 
among  some  of  the  most  turbulent  of  the  roughs.  Capt.  Hawkins, 
officer  of  the  day,  went  down,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  some  of 
the  other  officers,  arrested  with  considerable  difficulty  about  a  dozen 
of  the  most  riotous.  These  were  disarmed,  taken  forward  and 
placed  under  guard.  Efforts  were  then  made  to  find  out  the  source 
from  whence  the  ardent  was  being  obtained.  Meanwhile,  one  of  the 
men  under  guard  dashed  wildly  from  confinement,  seized  a  musket 
and  came  charging  with  fixed  bayonet  toward  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  and  Capts.  Hawkins  and  Price.  Capt.  Hawkins  ordered  him 
to  halt,  at  the  same  time  drawing  his  revolver.  Disregarding  the 
command,  the  man  still  came  on.  Capt.  Hawkins  again  cried  out, 
"  Halt!  or  you  arc  dead  man,"  which  having  no  effect,  he  fired  just 
as  the  man  was  within  a  few  feet  of  him.  He  fell  hcavilv  to  the 


1804  ]  TRANSPORT   NORTH   STAR.      GLOUCESTER   POINT.  247 

deck.  The  ball  had  passed  directly  through  him,  entering  the  right 
breast,  near  the  median  line,  and  coming  out  below  the  shoulder 
blade.  It  was  thought  the  wound  was  mortal,  lie  was  placed  upon 
a  stretcher  and  sent  immediately  ashore  to  the  general  hospital.* 

It  was  soon  found  that  whisky  was  being  supplied  by  the  coal 
heavers,  who,  having  secreted  several  demijohns  under  the  coal,  in 
New  York,  were  selling  it  to  the  men  at  fabulous  prices — some  had 
paid  ten  dollars  per  canteen.  A  coal  heaver,  whose  movements 
awakened  suspicion,  was  captured  with  five  of  them  stowed  in  the 
pockets  of  an  old  overcoat,  while  on  his  way  to  deliver  his  contracts. 
He  was  turned  over  to  the  ship's  captain  for  punishment,  but  that 
officer  stating  his  inability  to  punish  without  subjecting  himself  to 
arrest  and  civil  process,  upon  returning  to  Xew  York,  the  man  was 
placed  in  charge  of  Capt.  Hawkins,  officer  of  the  day,  for  punish 
ment,  He  was  then  placed  in  irons  and  secured  to  a  prominent 
position  in  view  of  the  men  and  the  crew,  where  he  was  confined 
during  the  voyage  to  Fortress  Monroe.  This  effectually  stopped 
the  traffic  in  whisky  and  its  resulting  disorder. 

At  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  on  the  morning  of  the  28th,  Maj. 
Pennypacker  landed  and  proceeded  to  the  head-quarters  of  Ikev. 
Maj.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  where  he  received  orders  to  join  Gen.  But 
ler's  command,  then  at  Gloucester  Point,  Va.,  organizing  for  an  ex 
pedition  up  the  James  River. 

Asst.  Surgeon  George  W.  Miller,  having  been  discharged,  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  on  April  25,  to  accept  promotion,  left  the  Regi 
ment,  at  Fortress  Monroe.  He  was  subsequently  appointed  to 
the  charge  of  Summit  House  Hospital,  near  Philadelphia.  Capt. 
W.  McConnell,  Company  E,  having  resigned,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  was  honorably  discharged,  on  the  25th,  and  returned  to  his 
home,  at  West  Chester.  Capt.  George  R.  Guss,  who  had  remained 
with  the  Regiment,  at  Fcrnandina,  also  returned  home  from  Fortress 


*  Nothing  was  beard  of  him  until  about  two  months  afterward,  when  a  man 
came  into  Capt.  Hawkins  tent,  at  the  front,  and  holding  out  his  hand,  said,  "Well. 
captain,  how  are  you?"  Capt.  Hawkins  replied,  "I  am  well  enough,  but  I  don't 
think  I  know  you."  He  replied,  "Why,  I  am  the  man  you  shot  on  the  North 
Star.  I  was  drunk,  and  expect  I  deserved  it;  but  I'm  all  right  now  and  ready  for 
duty.''  The  man  belonged  to  Capt.  Hawkins'  company.  His  wound,  made  by  a 
small  conical  ball,  had  closed  without  causing  any  considerable  hemorrhage,  the 
internal  wound  being  drained  while  he  lay  upon  his  back.  There  had  been  but 
little  inflammation — his  recovery  had  been  rapid  and  complete. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

Monroe.  The  following  enlisted  men,  discharged,  at  Fernandina, 
on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  having  accompanied  the  Regi 
ment  to  this  point,  bade  adieu  to  their  comrades  and  returned  home : 
Privates  John  W.  Dowlin  and  Joseph  L.  Thomas,  Company  A; 
Amor  N.  Chalfant,  Company  B;  Patrick  Collins,  Thomas  Dallas 
and  Michael  Dunlavy,  Company  E;  Joseph  R.  Richardson,  Com 
pany  F;  Corp.  Thomas  W.  Durnall,  Company  H,  and  Private 
James  Lafferty,  Company  I.  Drum  Maj.  St.  John,  being  unable 
to  march,  received  a  furlough  and  returned  with  these  discharged 
men,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  St.  John,  who  now  parted  regretfully 
and  with  emotion  from  "her  boys,"  as  she  used  to  call  those  for 
whose  welfare  she  had  cared  so  long  and  so  faithfully. 

The  North  Star  reached  Gloucester  Point  on  the  evening  of  the 
28th.  The  troops  landed  and  marched  about  two  miles  to  encamp 
on  the  banks  of  York  River,  in  an  old  tobacco  field.  The  55th 
P.  V.,  being  encamped  near  by,  furnished  the  Regiment  with  hot 
coffee  and  extended  to  it  a  cordial  welcome,  which  was  gladly  re 
ceived  as  coming  from  old  friends.  The  men  were  now  furnished 
with  shelter  tents.  About  thirty  thousand  troops  were  encamped 
near  together  and  were  being  thoroughly  refitted  for  active  service. 
The  10th  Corps  was  reorganized.  The  97th  P.  V.  was  placed  in 
the  3d  brigade,  3d  division.  The  brigade,  consisting  of  the  55th 
and  97th  P.  V.,  4th  N.  H.  and  the  8th  and  9th  Maine,  was  com 
manded  by  Col.  Richard  White,  of  the  55th  P.  V.;  the  division  by 
Brig.  Gen.  Adelbert  Ames  and  the  corps  by  Maj.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gill- 
more,  a  commander  greatly  beloved  by  the  troops  of  the  10th  Corps, 
that  served  in  the  campaign  upon  Morris  Island,  in  1863. 

Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  97th  P.  V.,  was  appointed  acting 
brigade  surgeon,  and  Qr  Mr.  David  Jones,  97th  P.  V.,  as  acting 
assistant  quarter-master,  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  10th  Corps, 
remaining  until  near  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service.  1st 
Lieut.  John  McGrath,  Company  E,  97th  P.  V.,  was  detailed  as 
regiment  quarter-master;  2d  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne,  Company  D, 
was  already  detailed  as  acting  commissary  of  subsistence,  on  the 
staff  of  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  S.  Foster,  commanding  2d  brigade,  1st 
division,  10th  Corps.  He  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  August. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  there  was  a  general  inspection 
of  the  Regiment  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  after  which  there  was 
a  grand  review  of  all  the  troops  at  Gloucester  Point,  by  Maj.  Gen. 
B.  F.  Butler,  accompanied  by  Maj.  Gens.  Q.  A.  Gillmore  and  W. 


1804.]  ORGANIZATION   OF    THE   ARMY   OF   THE   JAMES.  249 

F.  Smith  and  Brev.  Maj.  Gen.  A.  II.  Terry,  with  their  respective 
staff  officers.  It  was  an  imposing  display  of  about  thirty  thousand 
men  in  line,  and  occupied  from  11  A.  M.  until  dark.  The  march 
in  review  was  in  column  by  division.  The  men  moved  with  the 
steadiness  of  veterans  and  received  the  admiration  of  the  major 
general  commanding. 

On  the  31st,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  inspected  by  a  captain  of  the 
9th  Maine,  and  mustered  for  pay  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker. 

On  the  night  of  May  2,  a  severe  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  accom 
panied  by  thunder  and  lightning,  swept  over  the  encampment, 
prostrating  the  slight  shelter  tents  of  the  men  and  the  officers' 
larger  tents,  completely  drenching  everybody. 

While  at  Gloucester  Point,  the  troops  were  each  day  occupied  in 
brigade  and  regimental  drill,  the  companies  being  deployed  in  turn 
as  skirmishers,  and  in  all  respects  trained  for  the  active  campaign 
upon  which  they  were  about  to  enter. 

On  May  4,  marching  orders  were  received  and  the  embarkation 
of  troops  commenced.  All  was  activity  in  the  camps;  officers 
hurrying  back  and  forth  with  orders  in  preparation  for  the  exodus. 
At  2  P.  M.,  the  97th  P.  V.  broke  camp,  marched  to  the  landing  and 
embarked  on  the  transport  Kingston.  The  l()th  Corps  being  all 
on  board  the  transports,  anchored  off  Yorktown,  Va. 

The  expedition  left  Yorktown,  about  10  P.  M.,  on  the  4th,  and 
at  daybreak,  on  the  5th,  had  anchored  in  Hampton  Roads,  Va. 
About  twenty  or  thirty  sick  men  were  left  in  the  hospital,  at 
Fortress  Monroe.  At  6  A.  M.,  the  entire  fleet  weighed  anchor  at 
the  signal  from  Gen.  Butler's  flag  steamer,  James  Powell,  and  moved 
toward  the  mouth  of  James  River,  where  the  gunboats  and  moni 
tors  of  the  naval  force  lay  ready  to  proceed  up  the  river.  It  was  a 
grand  sight,  the  starting  of  over  one  hundred  transports  crowded 
with  men,  moving  in  procession  up  the  broad  river,  so  long  closed 
against  all  craft  bearing  the  banner  that  now  was  proudly  floating 
at  every  masthead  of  the  fleet. 

At   Newport-Newce,*  there    was  a  regiment   of  colored    troops 


*  Called  by  some  Newport's  News,  from  the  first  observance  of  the  approach 
of  Capt.  Newport's  supply  ship,  for  the  relief  of  the  colony  at  Jamestown.  By 
others,  Newport-Newce,  a  compound  of  the  names  of  Capt.  Newport  and  Sir 
William  Newce,  a  leading  man  and  a  marshal  of  Virginia,  spelled  Neuse  in  the 
earlier  histories  and  later  Newce — Lossing's  Civil  War,  Vol.  I.,  page  500. 


250 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[May, 


stationed.  The  country  on  either  side  of  the  river,  beautiful  and 
flourishing  under  culture,  presented  none  of  the  ravages  of  war. 
Men  at  work  in  the  fields  were  surprised  at  the  sudden  appearance 
of  the  fleet.  In  some  instances,  they  hastily  unhitched  their  teams 
and  fled,  while  in  others  they  quietly  observed  the  fleet.  Groups  of 
watchers  were  also  observed  about  the  houses,  mostly  women,  who 
could  be  plainly  seen  by  the  aid  of  a  field  glass,  evidently  not  well 
pleased  with  the  approach  of  the  imposing  armament.  In  one 

instance,  white  hand 
kerchiefs  were  waved, 
evincing  a  loyalty  that 
was  duly  honored  by 
the  dipping  of  bunting 
and  the  waving  of  hats 
and  handkerchiefs  (the 
latter  some  shades  from 
white)  by  the  men  on 
the  transports.  At  3 

BATTERY    AND    CHURCH    TOWER.       SITE    OF   JAMESTOWN.       I-      M..,     paSSed      J  am€S- 

town,  now  only  a  deso 
lated  ruin.  A  few  crumbling-  chimneys  and  the  dilapidated  tower  of 
the  ancient  church,  in  which  the  early  settlers  worshiped,  are  all 
that  is  left  to  mark  the  site  of  the  first  settlement  in  the  Old 
Dominion.  Near  it  a  battery,  erected  by  the  enemy,  also  de 
serted,  already  belongs  to  the  past.  Such  is  history!  Its  new  plow 
share  now  turns  up  this  old  relic  of  the  earliest  colonial  province 
to  the  view  of  thousands  familiar  with  its  traditions,  who  will  re 
ceive  inspiration  from  the  suggestive  lesson  of  its  decay.  May  not 
these  eventful  influences,  crystallizing  into  action  the  story  of  to 
day — with  its  more  than  a  hundred  keels  of  an  armed  fleet,  passing 
up  this  broad  and  beautiful  river,  bearing  forty  thousand  stal 
wart  men  to  the  defence  of  an  imperiled  nation — present,  in  time 
to  come,  an  equally  impressive  contrast.  From  this,  the  children  of 
the  future  city,  that  may  arise  above  these  ruins,  based  upon  truer 
sources  of  prosperity  and  permanence,  shall  draw  a  moral  as  they 
reap  the  fruits,  resulting  from  the  eventful  struggle  of  a  free  e-nlight- 
ened  people  in  their  heroic  efforts  to  preserve  the  blessings  of  na 
tional  integrity.  Our  fathers  pledged  each  other  in  solemn  compact 
to  maintain  and  defend  these,  by  their  lives  and  sacred  honor,  as  the 
last  hope  and  refuge  of  justice  and  human  equality.  Thus,  and  thus 


JAMES    RIVER.      CAPTURE    OF    CITY    POINT.  251 

only,  shall  we  perpetuate  the  untold  blessings  of  so  glorious  an  in 
heritance,  by  wresting  it  from  the  grasp  of  those  who  would  spread 
over  all  the  domain  of  our  beautiful  land  the  mildew  and  curse  that 
have  wrought  the  ruin  and  desolation  of  deserted  Jamestown. 

At  6  P.  M.,  the  rear  portion  of  the  fleet  had  reached  Harrison's 
Landing.  The  gunboats  had  advanced  to  City  Point,  Va.,  followed 
by  a  few  of  the  transports.  At  this  point,  Gen.  Butler's  steamer, 
James  Powell,  returned  to  order  forward  some  of  the  transports 
with  troops  to  occupy  City  Point,  which  had  been  captured  by  the 
naval  fleet  throwing  a  few  shell,  which  caused  the  rebels  to  hurry 
away.  Some  of  the  vessels  ran  up  to  the  mouth  of  the  Appomat- 
tox,  to  anchor  for  the  night,  the'  Kingston,  with  the  97th  P.  V., 
being  of  the  number.  The  larger  portion  anchored  off  City  Point, 
Gen.  Heckman's  brigade  of  Gen.  Weitzel's  division  of  the  18th 
Corps  landed  during  the  night,  and,  after  driving  the  rebel  pickets, 
bivouacked  near  the  landing. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  the  10th  Corps  and  the  re 
mainder  of  18th  Corps  disembarked  at  Bermuda  Hundred  Landing, 
on  the  south  side  of  James  River,  three  miles  above  the  mouth  of 
the  Appomattox.  The  march  inland  was  commenced  immediately, 
the  men  having  barely  time  to  make  coffee  before  starting.  The 
force  being  divided  into  three  columns,  advanced  by  three  routes, 
the  right  column  having  its  right  flank  covered  by  the  James  River; 
its  left  joined  the  centre  column,  which  moved  with  its  right  flank 
joining  the  right  column  and  its  left  flank  meeting  the  left  column, 
which  joined  its  right  with  the  centre  column  and  extended  its  left 
flank  to  the  Appomattox.  Gen.  Heckman's  brigade  being  on  the 
extreme  left,  advanced  toward  Point  of  Rocks,  and  after  some  skir 
mishing,  during  a  three  hours'  march,  halted  at  a  rebel  signal  sta 
tion,  capturing  the  new  rebel  signal  code,  equipments,  etc. 

It  was  a  very  warm,  sultry  morning.  The  men  soon  began  to 
throw  away  their  extra  clothing,  blankets,  knapsacks,  etc.,  the  road 
being  strewn  thickly  with  articles  of  clothing  abandoned  by  the 
men.  Orders  had  been  issued,  requiring  the  men  to  be  provided 
with  an  extra  pair  of  new  shoes  for  the  march.  These  were  also 
thrown  away.  It  was  estimated  that  nearly  twenty  thousand  pairs 
were  lost.  Wagon  loads  of  shoes  and  clothing  were  seen  later  in 
the  day,  having  been  picked  up  by  the  inhabitants  who  remained 
and  seemed  loyal.  After  marching  about  three  miles,  the  3d  division 
of  the  10th  Corps,  which  had  been  advancing  with  the  centre  column, 


252 


HISTORY    OF   THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[May, 


was  ordered  to  return  about  a  mile,  to  make  a  detour  by  a  lateral 
road  toward  the  left.  This  occasioned  a  very  tiresome  and  difficult 
march,  having  to  explore  and  skirmish  the  way  as  the  advance  was 
made.  The  men  were  very  much  exhausted  by  fatigue  and  the 
heat.  At  12  o'clock,  a  halt  was  ordered;  the  men  were  allowed  to 
rest  in  the  woods  and  have  coffee  made,  the  first  partaken  of  on 
that  day  by  most  of  the  men. 

After  the  march  was  resumed,  about  3  P.  M.,  Gen.  Butler  rode 
past  and  was  heartily  cheered  as  he  passed  toward  the  front.  The 
5th  N.  Y.  Art'y  also  passed  the  corps  while  halted,  about  4  P.  M., 
and  occupied  the  high  ground  at  Foster's  Plantation,  which  position 
was  subsequently  intrenched. 

At  about  5  P.  M.,  there  was  some  musketry  firing  and  can 
nonading  heard  on  the  left,  toward  the  Appomattox.  This  action 
was  between  Gen.  Heckman's  brigade  and  the  enemy  and  lasted 
about  an  hour,  in  which  his  forces  drove  the  rebels  twice,  sustaining 
a  loss  of  about  eight  killed  and  forty  wounded.  His  advance  was 
a  reconnoisance  to  ascertain  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy 
on  the  left,  and  was  conducted  with  celerity  and  success. 


*ft»~J*:S/W.— 

LINE   OP  DEFENCE  AT   BERMUDA   HUNDRED. 


At  sunset,  the  three  columns,  having  advanced  about  eight  miles 
from  the  landing,  bivouacked  for  the  night  upon  a  continuous  line, 
which  was  subsequently  intrenched  and  became  the  defensive  front 
of  Gen.  Butler's  command.  The  line  extended  from  the  James 


ADVANCE    THROUGH    BERMUDA    HUNDRED. 

River  on  the  right,  at  a  point  opposite  to  Dutch  Gap,  subsequently 
widely  known  as  Dutch  Gap  Canal,  across  to  the  swamp  of  the 
Appomattox,  on  the  left,  Foster's  Plantation  being  tlu>  centre  of  the 
line.  The  3d  brigade  was  moved  forward  and  occupied  a  position 
on  the  right  of  the  road,  near  the  buildings  at  Foster's,  in  a  beau 
tiful  clover  lot,  which  afforded  excellent  beds  for  the  tired  men. 
Orders  were  issued  to  obstruct  the  road  and  adjacent  fields,  by  re 
moving  the  fences  and  erecting  barriers  against  an  advance  of 
cavalry.  While  engaged  in  this  work,  a  woman  came  out  of  the 
house,  at  Foster's,  and  hurriedly  dug  up  an  earthen  flower-pot  from 
near  a  post  which  some  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were  about  to  remove. 
They  did  not  disturb  her  movements,  but  allowed  her  to  retire 
with  her  treasure  concealed  under  her  apron.  When  the  work  of 
obstructing  the  approaches  was  finished,  the  men  partook  heartily 
of  their  coffee  and  hard  tack,  then  lay  down  to  sleep,  behind  the 
line  of  arms  in  stack  and  remained  undisturbed  through  the  night. 


-  . 


BUTLER'S  HEAD-QUARTERS  NEAR  DUTCH  GAP. 

Gen.  Butler  established  his  head-quarters  toward  the  right  of  the 
line,  in  a  farm  house,  about  a  mile  from  the  James  River,  opposite 
to  Dutch  Gap. 

On  the  7th,  Companies  C  and  F,  detailed  for  picket,  were  sta 
tioned  in  the  wood,  on  the  left,  opposite  to  Foster's,  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  from  the  camp. 

A  force  of  three  brigades,  from  the  10th  Corps,  and  two  from  the 
18th,  comnmnded  by  Brig.  Gen.  W.  H.  T.  Brooks,  of  1st  division, 
l()th  Corps,  moved  out  toward  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Rail 
road  and  met  the  enemy,  under  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill,  at  Port  Walthall 
Junction,  where  a  brisk  engagement  ensued.  Gen.  Brooks'  forces 
succeeded  in  driving  Hill  beyond  the  Walthall  branch  of  the  rail 


254  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  l"May, 

road,  destroying  a  mile  of  the  road,  a  railroad  bridge  and  cutting 
the  telegraph  wires.  There  was  a  large  number  killed  and  wounded 
on  both  sides.  ••  The  movement  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering — 
and  the  force  being  unprepared  to  hold  the  position — retired  toward 
evening,  bearing  off  their  wounded.  The  dead  were  buried  on  the 
field. 

During  this  time,  the  men  remaining  at  Foster's  Plantation  were 
engaged  in  throwing  up  intrerichments,  cutting  trees  for  chevaux- 
de-frise,  and  slashing  the  timber  to  obstruct  the  advance  of  the 
enemy  through  the  woods.  Work  on  the  entire  line,  from  river  to 
river,  a  distance  of  near  six  miles,  was  rapidly  pushed  to  comple 
tion. 

On  the  8th,  there  was  some  firing  upon  the  picket  line.  Some 
rebel  cavalry  were  seen,  four  saddles  being  emptied  by  the  pickets. 
Companies  C  and  F  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were  relieved  from  picket, 
at  8.30  P.  M.,  by  two  companies  of  the  112th  N.  Y. 

Captain  Isaac  Waterbury,  Company  G,  55th  P.  V.,  died  suddenly 
on  the  8th,  in  the  camp  of  that  regiment.  He  was  buried,  on  the 
llth,  with  military  honors,  at  Foster's  Plantation. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  Gen.  Butler,  with  the  10th  and 
18th  Corps,  started  from  camp  and  marched  about  four  miles,  to 
intercept  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  at  a  point  mid 
way  between  those  places.  Brig.  Gen.  W.  F.  Smith,  commanding 
the  18th,  moved  on  the  right,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore,  com 
manding  the  10th,  on  the  left.  When  arrived  at  Chester  Heights, 
commanding  the  road,  the  troops  and  artillery  took  position.  The 
97th  P.  V.  was  then  ordered  to  advance.  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker 
led  his  Regiment,  at  double  quick,  down  the  descending  slope, 
reaching  the  railroad  without  encountering  the  enemy,  supposed  to 
occupy  a  position  behind  the  embankment  of  the  road.  He  then 
sent  two  companies  to  the  right  of  the  road,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Guss,  Company  A,  to  reconnoitre.  A  portion  of  the  force 
was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  to  guard  the  flank  of  the  Regiment 
while  employed  in  tearing  up  the  rails.  The  telegraph  wires  were 
cut,  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  after  they  had  been  detached 
from  the  poles  by  his  men.  The  skirmishes  soon  carrfe  in  sight  of 
rebel  cavalry  scouts,  who  retired  beyond  the  reacli  of  fire,  but  con 
tinued  to  watch  the  proceedings  as  closely  as  possible.  In  tearing 
up  the  road,  the  men  were  marched  along  the  track,  halted  and 
fronted;  then  laying  their  arms  behind  the  line,  the  ends  of  the 


1804-1  ACTION    AT   SWIFT   CREEK.  255 

cross-tics  were  lifted  and  the  roadway  overturned 
the  length  of  the  Regiment;  then  moving  another 
length  of  the  Regiment,  continued  the  overturning 
in  like  manner.  A  detail  of  men,  with  the  pio 
neers,  followed,  loosed  the  ties  from  the  rails,  piled 
them  together  and  set  fire  to  them,  consuming  the 
former  and  rendering  the  latter  useless,  being 
twisted  out  of  shape  by  the  heat.  Some  miles  of 
the  road  were  thus  destroyed.  Reaching  the  point 

1  .1  .1  ff,l  11  1  JKFK-    "-Wls's    NK.K-TIE. 

where  the  engagement  on  the  7th  had  occurred, 
two  or  three  dead  Union  soldiers  found  there  were  buried  by  our 
men.  One  wounded  man  was  also  found.  The  woods  being  on  fire 
near  him,  unable  to  move,  he  would  soon  have  perished.  lie  had 
lain  two  days  where  he  had  fallen,  without  food  or  water.  His 
parched  lips  were  cooled  from  the  canteens,  and,  after  his  suffer 
ings  were  relieved  as  far  as  possible,  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital, 
where  he  finally  recovered. 

When  the  97th  P.  V.  moved  forward  upon  the  railroad,  a  force, 
under  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  John  W.  Turner,  2d  division,  10th 
Corps,  had  marched  upon  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  turnpike, 
toward  the  latter  place,  crossing  the  railroad  at  Port  Walthall 
Junction,  near  the  point  reached  by  Gen.  Brooks'  force,  on  the  7th. 
Gen.  Turner's  force  continued  to  advance  toward  Petersburg.  An 
other  force,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  (now  brevet 
major  general,  U.  S.  A.),  had  advanced  on  the  right,  toward  Rich 
mond,  driving  a  small  force  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction. 

Having  completed  the  destruction  of  the  railroad  to  the  point  in 
dicated,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypackcr,  with  his  force,  followed  the  ad 
vance  toward  Petersburg,  on  the  turnpike.  He  came  up  with  the 
division  just  as  it  became  engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Swift  Creek, 
within  a  few  miles  of  Petersburg,  where  the  advance  met  the 
enemy's  pickets  and  drove  them  in.  The  rebels,  however,  being  in 
considerable  force,  charged  upon  the  skirmish  line  and  drove  it  back 
through  a  field  into  a  wood  near  the  turnpike,  where  our  forces  were 
prepared  to  meet  the  charge.  Repeated  volleys  of  musketry  wen1 
discharged  into  the  ranks  of  the  rebels,  driving  them  back,  killing 
and  wounding  many.  The  rebel  artillery  shelled  the  position  in 
the  wood  vigorously  and  a  brisk  fire  of  musketry  was  kept  up  from 
their  lines. 

The  97th  P.  V.  was  immediately  ordered  to  the  front,  marched 


256  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

through  the  woods  under  a  severe  fire,  and  occupied  the  front  line 
of  battle.  As  it  moved  up  to  its  position,  the  artillery,  which  had 
advanced  too  closely  to  the  enemy  to  be  available  or  safe  from  cap 
ture,  came  thundering  down  the  turnpike  to  a  more  advantageous 
position.  It  seemed  like  the  signal  of  a  rout;  but  the  men  marched 
steadily  forward,  following  their  intrepid  young  commander.  The 
artillery,  after  gaining  a  favorable  position,  reopened  fire  upon  the 
rebel  lines,  causing  the  forces  in  front  of  our  position  to  retire; 
silencing  also  the  enemy's  field  pieces.  As  the  Regiment  was  ad 
vancing  through  the  woods,  Sergt.  Maj.  Samuel  W.  Hawley,  who 
was  on  the  left,  was  struck  in  the  head  by  a  fragment  of  shell  and 
fell.  It  was  then  thought  he  was  killed;  he  was  only  stunned  and 
but  slightly  cut  by  the  shell;  he  very  soon  resumed  duty.  After  the 
enemy's  fire  had  ceased,  the  97th  P.  V.  and  55th  P.  V.  were  moved 
to  the  right  through  the  woods  into  an  old  cotton  field  grown  over 
with  young  pines.  The  rebel  forces  were  plainly  seen  beyond. 
Here  those  regiments  halted  in  line,  and  were  ordered  to  lie  down 
to  keep  out  of  view  of  the  enemy.  They  remained  in  that  position 
until  near  sunset.  The  field  had  been  occupied  by  rebels  only  a  few 
hours  before.  Their  haversacks  had  been  left  lying  upon  the  ground 
in  great  numbers,  in  line,  as  though  the  force  had  been  hastily 
ordered  to  move.  They  contained  a  few  slices  of  cold  pork  and  corn 
cakes,  hard  and  meagre  fare  compared  with  the  rations  of  our  men. 
About  sunset,  the  55th  P.  V.  and  97th  P.  V.  were  moved  to  the 
rear  of  the  right,  marching  half  a  mile  through  dense  woods,  and 
came  upon  a  road  by  which  the  enemy  from  the  direction  of  Peters 
burg  by  a  detour  might  reach  our  right  flank  and  rear.  The  men 
were  here  halted,  and  in  line  of  battle  occupied  this  road  during 
the  night,  sleeping  upon  their  arms  by  the  roadside. 

A  regiment,  armed  with  the  old  Belgian  rifles,  had  advanced,  just 
before  dusk,  to  a  position  somewhat  exposed,  presenting  a  tempta 
tion  to  the  enemy  of  an  easy  capture  during  the  night.  Soon  after 
dark,  this  regiment  was  withdrawn,  and  another,  armed  with  Spen 
cer  rifles  or  carbines,  took  its  place.  At  about  10  P.  M.,  a  sudden 
and  incessant  discharge  of  musketry  indicated  a  general  engagement. 
The  fire  continued  ten  or  fifteen  minutes;  then  all  was  quiet  again. 
It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  noise  was  occasioned  by  the  rebels 
attempting  to  surprise  and  capture  that  regiment  at  the  front,  with 
its  old  Belgian  rifles,  but  had  caught  instead  a  right  smart  Tartar,  in 
the  shape  of  a  regiment  with  new  Spencer  repeaters,  causing  them 


1804.]      FORCED    MARCH    TO    SUPPORT    GENERAL   TERRY'S    ADVANCE.        257 

to  retreat  with  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  There  was  no 
other  disturbance  during  the  night.  When  daylight  broke  upon  us, 
the  men  began  to  awake,  impelled  by  hunger  and  thirst,  to  seek  for 
food  and  water.  There  was  no  stream  to  be  found  near,  but  recent 
rains  had  left  the  gutters  and  ruts  along  the  road  filled  with  water. 
The  ground  being  a  heavy  clay  soil,  retained  it  for  want  of  drainage. 
To  this  supply  the  men,  through  necessity,  had  recourse.  Where 
undisturbed,  the  water  was  clear  and,  though  warm,  was  refreshing 
to  parched  lips,  as  the  writer  can  testify,  having  slaked  his  thirst 
from  a  clear  little  pool  that  tilled  the  pit  of  a  horse  track  in  the 
clay  of  the  road-bed. 

Some  of  the  men  made  circuitous  journeys  in  the  vicinity  and 
found  means  of  tilling  canteens  with  good  water  and  obtained  some 
corn  cakes  from  the  inhabitants;  others,  more  fortunate,  secured 
some  large  bars  of  prepared  navy  tobacco,  and,  upon  their  return, 
drove  a  brisk  trade  in  that  article  with  less  enterprising  comrades. 

Preparations  were  made  for  advancing  toward  Petersburg,  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  the  enemy  having  apparently  with 
drawn  toward  that  place.  When  about  to  move,  intelligence  was 
received  that  Gen.  Terry's  division,  advancing  toward  Richmond, 
was  heavily  engaged,  Gen.  Lee  having  sent  a  large  force  to  oppose 
his  advance. 

Gen.  Ames  detached  the  1st  brigade  from  his  division  and  ordered 
it  to  march  rapidly  to  Gen.  Terry's  support.  The  97th  P.  V., 
being  on  the  right  of  the  brigade,  moved  off  first,  upon  the  Rich 
mond  and  Petersburg  turnpike,  and  was  pushed  rapidly  along  that 
road,  at  double  quick,  on  all  declining  and  level  grades,  and  as 
fast  as  possible  over  the  hills,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  brigade  to 
follow.  For  a  time,  the  men  kept  well  together;  but  soon  the 
excessive  heat,  dust  and  rapid  march  became  more  than  human  en 
durance  could  stand.  The  men  began  to  drop  by  the  way,  utterly 
overcome.  Many,  falling  helpless  in  the  road,  from  sunstroke, 
were  carried,  by  their  comrades,  into  the  shade  at  the  roadside. 

After  a  forced  march  of  seven  miles,  a  portion  of  the  Regiment 
reached  Gen.  Terry's  position,  when  it  was  found  that  his  forces  had 
maintained  their  ground  against  the  fierce  assault  of  the  enemy, 
and  compelled  the  advancing  foe  to  retire. 

The  weary  and  exhausted  men  of  the  Regiment,  who  had  kept 
up  on  the  march,  were  halted  in  a  shady  spot  by  the  roadside  to 
rest  until  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  came  up.  It  was  rather 
17 


258  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  fMay, 

aggravating,  however,  for  them  to  witness  the  cool  and  leisurely 
march  of  the  other  regiments,  an  hour  later,  filing  past. 

Though  the  enemy  had  been  repulsed  by  Gen.  Terry's  forces,  fur 
ther  advance  was  deemed  unadvisable.  The  brigade  was  ordered  to 
return  to  camp,  at  Foster's  Place,  which  was  reached  at  sunset, 
having  marched,  in  the  two  days,  about  twenty-three  miles,  in  ad 
dition  to  the  work  of  tearing  up  the  railroad  and  taking  part  in 
the  action  at  Swift  Creek. 

On  May  8,  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  Company  E,  acting  quarter 
master,  was  detailed,  by  orders  from  department  head-quarters,  on 
detached  service,  in  the  commissary  department,  at  Bermuda  Hun 
dred  Landing.  2d  Lieut.  H.  KaufFman,  Jr.,  Company  C,  acting 
adjutant,  was  then  detailed  as  regimental  quarter-master,  of  the 
97th  P.  V.,  and  1st  Lieut.  John  Wainwright,  Company  F,  as  acting 
adjutant. 

On  the  llth,  several  companies  of  the  Regiment  were  detailed  for 
work  upon  the  line  of  intrenchments  at  Foster's  Place.  At  6  P.  M., 
Company  C  was  detailed  for  picket,  with  Maj.  Price  in  charge  of 
the  picket  force,  marched  from  camp  during  a  heavy  rain,  and  occu 
pied  the  position  in  the  line  the  Regiment  had  held  when  first  de 
tailed  at  this  place,  the  112th  N.  Y.  being  on  the  right. 

Owing  to  the  active  movements  which  commenced  on  the  follow 
ing  day,  Company  C  remained  on  duty  at  this  point  without  being 
relieved  for  nearly  a  week,  a  part  of  the  men  being  allowed  to  rest 
while  the  remainder  kept  watch,  the  reserve  occupying  shelter  tents. 
Several  severe  thunder  storms  occurred,  during  one  of  which  a  tree 
was  struck  within  thirty  feet  of  the  shelter  where  twenty  men,  with 
their  muskets,  were  lying.  The  electricity  flashed  along  the  bright 
steel  barrels  and  bayonets  of  the  loaded  pieces,  almost  blinding  the 
men.  The  sulphurous  smell  pervaded  the  air  to  an  almost  stifling 
extent,  but  no  one  was  stunned  or  in  the  least  injured.  The 
proximity  of  the  electric  current  was,  however,  not  enjoyed,  the 
men  preferring  to  risk  the  more  moderate  fire  of  artillery  and  mus 
ketry  to  the  thunderbolts  of  the  elements. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  apprehending  a  night  attack  from 
the  rebels,  orders  were  issued  for  all  the  troops  in  the  camp,  inside 
the  intrenchments,  to  be  under  arms  and  in  the  line  of  earthworks 
from  2  A.  M.  to  daylight,  until  further  orders. 

On  that  day,  Gen.  Butler  again  made  an  advance  toward  Rich 
mond,  leaving  a  small  force  inside  the  intrenchments,  with  Col. 


1864  1  RETURN   OF   COLONEL   GUSS   AND   THE   VETERANS.  259 

Joshua  B.  Howell,  of  the  Both  P.  V.,  in  command.  Orders  were 
issued  to  the  forces  then  occupying  the  picket  lines  outside  the  in- 
trenchments  to  hold  the  line  until  they  should  be  relieved,  after  the 
return  of  the  forces  from  the  front.  Company  C,  of  the  97th  P.  V.. 
being  on  picket,  remained  upon  that  duty  in  consequence  of  this 
order.  The  remaining  companies  of  the  Regiment,  under  command 
of  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  marched  with  Butler's  advance. 

Col.  Guss,  Adjt.  Carruthers  and  the  veterans  reached  Bermuda 
Hundred  Landing,  on  their  return,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th. 

Leaving  the  veterans  in  charge  of  Capt.  Mendenhall,  Col.  Guss 
proceeded  to  the  front  and  reported  his  arrival  to  Gen.  Gillmore, 
and  was  by  him  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  1st  brigade,  3d 
division.  l()th  Corps.  This  announcement  was  highly  satisfactory 
to  the  entire  command.  Adjt,  Carruthers  was  appointed  acting  as 
sistant  adjutant  general  of  the  brigade.  1st  Lieut.  Skiles,  Company 
B,  now  relieved  Lieut.  Wainwright  as  acting  regimental  adjutant. 

The  following  account  of  the  movements  of  the  veterans  and 
their  return  is  furnished  by  Capt.  Mendenhall,  from  his  notes  of 
the  trip:  The  detachment  left  Fernandina,  at  sunset,  on  February 
27,  on  the  steamer  Delaware,  amid  the  cheers  and  greeting  of  their 
comrades  left  behind.  Reached  Hilton  Head  at  11  A.  M.,  on  the 
28th,  and  encamped  to  await  transportation. 

On  April  2,  Col.  Guss  and  family,  with  Adjt,  Carruthers,  joined 
the  detachment  returning  home. 

At  10  P.  M.,  on  the  3d,  sailed  on  the  steamer  Arago,  arriving 
in  New  York  at  11  P.  M.  on  the  7th 

Debarked,  on  the  8th,  and  marched  to  Park  Barracks  for  break 
fast.  Crossed  the  Jersey  City  ferry,  at  10  A.  M.,  and  took  the  train 
for  Philadelphia.  Being  delayed  by  the  way,  it  was  9  P.  M.  when 
the  command  reached  the  Cooper  Shop  Refreshment  Saloon,  where 
a  bountiful  supper  was  provided.  At  10  P.  M.,  the  march  was 
resumed  At  the  depot  of  the  West  Chester  and  Philadelphia  Rail 
road,  cars  were  found  ready  and  many  friends  present  to  give  the 
boys  welcome.  Left  Philadelphia  by  the  11.30  train  and  reached 
West  Chester  at  1  A.  M.  on  Saturday,  the  9th.  Of  course,  the 
inhabitants  were  all  asleep. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  citizens  to  have  given  the  veterans  a 
public  reception  upon  their  arrival,  expected  the  previous  evening. 
Arrangements  had  been  made  at  a  meeting,  convened  in  the  Court 
House,  and  a  reception  committee  appointed,  with  Capt.  William 


260  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Apple  as  chief  marshal.  The  cadets  of  Col.  Hyatt's  and  Prof.  W. 
F.  Wyers'  military  academies  were  in  line,  at  the  depot,  accom 
panied  by  a  large  concourse  of  citizens,  who  waited  patiently  until 
10  P.  M.  and  then  dispersed. 

On  the  following  morning,  a  salute  was  fired  in  front  of  the  Court 
House,  by  the  cadets  of  Col.  Hyatt's  school,  bells  were  rung  and 
all  available  bunting  flung  to  the  breeze  in  honor  of  the  returning 
veterans,  who  were  assembled  in  the  Court  House,  at  10  o'clock, 
and  welcomed  to  their  homes,  in  an  eloquent  and  appropriate  ad 
dress,  by  the  Kev.  William  E.  Moore,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Col.  Guss,  being  loudly  called  for,  came  forward  and  made 
some  well-timed  remarks,  which  were  received  with  enthusiastic  ap 
plause.  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  then  called  for,  who  made  a  short 
and  pithy  speech,  which  was  also  well  received.  The  furloughs 
were  then  issued  to  the  veterans,  which  released  them  until  May  9, 
at  which  time  they  were  required  to  report  at  the  Green  Tree 
Hotel,  West  Chester. 

They  availed  themselves  gladly  of  the  release  from  military  dis 
cipline,  and  went  their  several  ways  rejoicing,  to  meet  the  wel 
come  that  awaited  them  in  their  homes. 

On  May  9,  Capt.  Mendenhall  reported  to  Col.  Guss,  at  West 
Chester,  for  orders.  The  furloughed  men  mostly  returned  during 
the  day.  One  of  the  number,  Levi  B.  Walker,  Company  K,  had 
died,  of  pleurisy,  at  his  home,  on  April  28.  There  were  several 
absentees,  some  of  whom  joined  the  detachment  by  the  way. 

Left  West  Chester  at  6  A.  M.,  on  the  10th,  for  Philadelphia  and 
Baltimore.  The  command  took  supper  at  the  Volunteer  Refresh 
ment  Saloon,  and  lodged  in  barracks  at  Baltimore. 

At  5  P.  M.,  on  the  llth,  took  passage  on  steamer  Adelaide,  for 
Fortress  Monroe.  Reached  there  at  8  A.  M.,  on  the  12th,  and  left 
at  11  A.  M.  for  City  Point,  Va.  Arrived  at  5  P.  M.  and  encamped. 
The  roll  being  called,  two  hundred  and  seventy-seven  were  present. 
Absent,  fifty-nine.  The  absentees  mostly  rejoined  within  a  few 
days;  having  been  delayed  by  sickness  and  unavoidable  circum 
stances,  they  were  excused  and  reported  present  on  time.  A  few 
did  not  return  until  arrested  as  deserters.  Two  of  Company  E,  two 
of  Company  F,  one  of  Company  I  and  one  of  Company  K  never  re 
joined  the  Regiment. 

On  the  13th,  Capt.  Mendenhall  made  application  for  the  arms  ot 
the  command.  These  had  been  boxed  and  shipped,  at  Fernandina, 


1864.]  THE  VETERANS'  ARRIVAL  AT  FOSTER'S  PLACE.  261 

and  forwarded  to  Bermuda  Hundred.  Two  days  elapsed  before 
they  arrived  at  City  Point. 

On  the  16th,  the  arms  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  were  dis 
tributed  to  the  detachment.  There  were  now  two  hundred  and 
eighty-five  men  present.  The  command  marched  to  the  front  on 
the  same  day.  Heavy  firing  was  plainly  heard  from  the  fighting  at 
Drury's  Bluff  and  Fort  Darling.  The  veteran  detachment  readied 
the  camp  of  the  Regiment,  at  Foster's  Place,  at  6  P.  M.  The 
Regiment,  being  then  at  the  front,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Pennypacker,  returned  in  the  night.  Capt.  Mendenhall  reported 
his  arrival  at  head-quarters  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  veterans 
having  been  absent  forty-seven  days. 

Five  volunteer  recruits  had  joined  the  detachment  while  home. 
Four  were  assigned  to  Company  F  and  one  to  Company  K. 

Little  black  June  also  returned  with  the  veterans,  entirely  satis 
fied  with  his  experience  of  northern  life,  being  peculiarly  southern 
in  his  proclivities.  He  remained  an  independent  attache  of  the 
Regiment  until  the  final  muster  out.  In  originality  of  character 
and  comicality  he  was  a  feature,  in  every  movement,  and  upon  the 
march,  at  a  review  or  inspection,  irrepressible  and  ever  on  hand  when 
least  expected;  a  wily  and  wary  observer  of  all  worth  noticing; 
his  peculiar  voice  and  ringing  laugh  announcing  his  presence  and 
delight  with  as  little  ceremony  as  a  shell  dropped  from  the  enemy's 
batteries  at  an  unexpected  moment.  His  advent  occurred  early  in 
1862,  at  Hilton  Head,  where  he  turned  up  as  a  contraband  waif, 
drifting  with  the  vast  tide  of  escaping  bondmen  to  our  camps  as  to 
their  natural  protectors.  His  singular  appearance,  ludicrous  wit 
and  natural  smartness  won  favor  for  him  in  Capt.  Mcllvaine's  ap 
preciation.  He  thenceforth  became  his  servant  and  the  custodian 
of  the  captain's  quarters.  Rendering  whatever  improbable  amount 
of  service  he  might  be  capable  of,  his  humor  and  his  voice  were  the 
clear  profit  of  the  captain's  investment,  in  which  the  entire  Regi 
ment  fully  participated,  through  June's  most  laudable  and  persistent 
efforts  to  make  himself  manifest.  All  of  these  invaluable  qualities 
and  qualifications  had  been  missing  from  the  ordinary  issue  of 
rations,  since  May,  1863,  when  June  was  tempted,  after  Capt.  Mc 
llvaine's  return,  by  Lieut.  Smedley,  Company  C,  who  had  received 
his  discharge,  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  north.  His  experiences  in 
Pennsylvania  were  varied  and  of  sufficient  interest  to  form  a 
volume  if  properly  compiled.  The  saddest  of  these  may  here  suffice 


262  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

to  indicate  the  cause  of  his  embracing  the  first  favorable  oppor 
tunity  of  returning  to  his  old  friends  in  the  97th  P.  V.  The  cherry 
trees,  being  in  full  bearing,  invited  his  discriminating  palate  to  par 
take  of  the  luscious  fruit  that  grew  upon  the  topmost  boughs. 
June  trusted  his  frail  weight  to  the  limbs  whose  treacherous  frailty, 
exceeding  his  own,  caused  his  downfall  and  a  broken  arm.  June 
"  vowed  he  would  go  back  to  Caroliny,  where  the  trees  had  better 
sense  than  to  break  down  with  a  poor  little  darky  like  him." 

Commissions,  promoting  the  following  officers,  were  now  received, 
viz.:  2d  Lieut.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  Company  H,  to  be  captain,  vice 
Mcllvaine,  resigned;  Sergt.  George  H.  Durnall,  same  company,  to 
be  1st  lieutenant,  vice  Baldwin,  resigned;  Sergt.  Lewis  H.  Watkins, 
same  company,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice  Lemaistre,  promoted;  2d 
Lieut.  George  W.  DufFoe,  Company  I,  to  be  1st  lieutenant,  vice 
Sketchley  Morton,  Jr.,  deceased;  Sergt.  William  H.  H.  Gibson, 
same  company,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice  Duffee,  promoted. 

The  l()th  Corps,  under  Gen.  Gill  more,  had  marched  on  the  12th 
toward  Chester  Station,  on  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Railroad, 
while  the  18th  Corps  moved  on  the  right  along  the  river  bank 
toward  Drury's  Bluff  and  Fort  Darling,  situated  nine  miles  below 
Richmond.  Crossing  the  railroad,  the  10th  Corps  advanced  toward 
Chesterfield  Court  House;  then,  diverging  to  the  right,  joined  the 
18th  Corps,  against  which  it  was  evident  the  enemy  were  massing 
their  troops.  Continuing  to  advance,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th,  an 
outer  line  of  intrenchments  was  encountered,  extending  from  the 
railroad  to  the  river. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  Gen  Butler's  advance  encountered 
the  enemy  at  Proctor's  Creek,  Drury's  Bluff  and  near  Fort  Darling. 
They  were  found  strongly  intrenched  in  a  double  line  of  works 
behind  Proctor's  Creek.  Gen.  Gillmore  led  the  10th  Corps  against 
the  enemy  and  succeeded  in  capturing  their  advance  lines  near 
Drury's  Bluff,  and  by  a  brilliant  dash  carried  the  left  of  their  main 
line,  flanking  the  enemy's  position  and  securing  a  large  number  of 
prisoners  after  a  stubborn  resistance  in  which  his  own  loss  was  quite 
severe. 

The  97th  P.  V.,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  par 
ticipated  in  the  engagement  and  held  the  extreme  left  of  the  line. 
After  the  action  on  the  14th,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  detached  as  guard 
to  Gen.  Butler's  head-quarters,  near  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg 
turnpike,  and  as  a  picket  force  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  position. 


1864.]         PR(X?TOR'S   CREEK,  DRURY'S    BLUFF    AND    FORT    DARLING.          '263 

It  was  thus  engaged  during  the  loth  without  particular  occurrence 
to  note. 

Beaurcgard  was  evidently  closely  observing  these  movements,  ap 
parently  without  manifesting  any  disposition  to  depart  from  a  de 
fensive  line  of  operations.  Gen.  Butler's  line  now  covered  his  entire 
front  south  of  the  James.  Only  a  small  cavalry  force,  however,  oc 
cupied  the  right  hetween  the  river  and  the  right  flank  of  the  in 
fantry,  which  was  also  somewhat  protected  by  the  naval  force  in  the 
river. 


FORT    DA  II  LI  NO. 


On  the  morning  of  the  Ifith,  the  enemy,  having  concentrated  their 
forces  on  the  south  side  of  Richmond,  made  a  furious  assault  upon 
the  right  of  Gen.  Butler's  line,  at  about  3.30  A.  M.,  advancing 
under  cover  of  the  dense  undergrowth,  favored  by  the  darkness  and 
dense  fog  which  continued  during  the  morning,  rendering  it  impos 
sible  to  distinguish  the  position  of  either  line  beyond  a  few  yards. 
The  columns  of  the  enemy  swept  through  the  lines  on  the  right  and 
became  mingled  with  the  forces  in  the  rear  lines  in  promiscuous  and 
indiscriminate  conflict ;  each  force  maintaining  its  steady  fire  with 
out  any  well-defined  line  of  battle.  The  darkness  and  fog,  even 
after  daylight,  prevented  any  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  posi 
tion  of  either  army.  During  this  period  of  the  action,  prisoners  were 
captured  and  recaptured,  and  many  permanently  secured  by  each  side. 


264  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Several  hours'  hard  righting  and  terrible  loss  on  both  sides,  with  al 
ternate  success  and  repulse  ensued,  the  enemy,  being  in  much  supe 
rior  force,  had  at  the  outset  turned  the  right  flank  by  the  impetuous 
force  of  their  massed  columns  of  infantry.  Gen.  Butler's  forces  were, 
however,  still  able  to  prevent  their  taking  advantage  of  the  first 
success  by  the  same  causes  which  enabled  the  enemy  to  penetrate 
our  lines.  The  fog  and  darkness  served  to  obstruct  their  accuracy  of 
observation;  otherwise,  the  now  broken  lines  of  Gen.  Butler's  com 
mand  would  have  then  been  utterly  routed  by  the  largely  superior 
force  of  the  enemy;  but,  in  the  darkness  and  confusion,  numbers 
became  an  element  of  weakness,  causing  their  losses  to  be  most 
severe,  and  thwarted  their  object  of  driving  Gen.  Butler's  forces 
from  the  field.  When  the  darkness  and  fog  had  passed,  the  op 
posing  forces  were  found  almost  face  to  face.  The  enemy  had 
rapidly  rearranged  their  lines,  being  more  familiar  with  the  ground, 
and  immediately  renewed  the  assault  with  persistent  determination 
to  accomplish  their  object.  Their  first  assault  was  upon  the  18th 
Corps,  commanded  by  Gen.  W.  F.  Smith.  In  the  darkness,  that  offi 
cer  had  caused  to  be  stretched  across  his  front  a  quantity  of  telegraph 
wire,  which  had  been  secured,  fastening  it  to  the  stumps  and  trees 
about  half  knee-high.  When  the  enemy  rushed  forward  in  a  charge 
they  pitched  headlong  over  the  wire  and  over  each  other,  while  the 
fire  of  Gen.  Smith's  troops  was  so  effective  as  to  repulse  the  attack 
with  fearful  loss. 

Gen.  Weitzel's  division,  occupying  the  breastwork  at  Drury's 
Bluff,  captured  on  the  1 4th,  was  assaulted  three  times  without  suc 
cess.  The  enemy  then  turned  their  attention  to  the  10th  Corps, 
massed  their  forces  in  front  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  position  and  made 
three  successive  attempts  to  force  him  from  it,  being  repulsed  at 
every  point  by  the  unflinching  steadfastness  of  Gillmore's  veterans, 
who,  having  learned  the  advantage  of  staying  in  their  lines  and 
forgotten  how  to  retreat,  kept  up  such  a  continuous  fire  that  the 
enemy  could  not  endure  it.  They  then  renewed  their  attack  on  the 
18th  Corps,  when  Gen.  Gillmore  sent  Turner's  division  to  its  sup 
port,  and  they  were  again  repulsed  with  severe  loss. 

At  2.30  P.  M.  the  enemy  ceased  to  press  upon  our  front,  and  the 
action  terminated,  the  enemy  falling  back  to  their  line  of  intrench- 
ments,  leaving  a  large  number  of  killed  and  wounded  upon  the 
field.  The  following  extract  from  an  account  of  the  action,  by  Mr. 
Oscar  G.  Sawyer,  correspondent  of  the  10th  Corps,  gives  the  move- 


1884.1      PROCTOR'S  CREEK,  DRURY'S  BLUFF  AND  FORT  DARLING.       265 

ments  that  occurred  after  the  fog  and  darkness  clearing,  afforded 
opportunity  for  observation. 

"*  *  *  They  first  hurled  their  column  upon  Turner's  division, 
which  held  the  right  of  the  10th  Corps,  joining  the  18th  Corps.  They  formed 
in  a  beautiful  manner  and  moved  steadily  on  Barton's  brigade,  on  the  right  of 
Turner's  division,  advancing  as  if  upon  parade  and  not  firing  a  single  shot.  Wait 
ing  until  they  bad  reached  a  pood  distance  for  effective  range,  the  brigade  poured 
into  their  lines  such  a  terrific  fire  that  the  line  melted  away  and  the  thinned  and 
broken  ranks,  after  vainly  endeavoring  to  advance  against  the  storm  of  bullets, 
fled,  with  terrible  loss,  to  the  woods  in  their  rear.  The  volleys  were  as  continu 
ous  and  heavy  as  the  musketry  of  a  brigade  could  well  be  and  such  as  no  living 
beings  could  stand  against.  The  rebels  were  scattered  like  chaff  and  broke  for 
the  woods  in  a  disorganized  mass.  After  great  exertion,  the  line  of  attack  was 
again  formed  and  again  a  brigade  advanced  in  splendid  style  against  our  line. 
Again  did  they  receive  the  terrible  fire  and  pushed  steadily  on  until  a  fourth  of 
them  lay  killed  and  wounded  on  the  field,  when  they  broke  and  rushed  quickly 
to  the  cover  of  the  woods.  Our  boys  gave  them  hearty  cheers  and  sent  a  volley 
after  them.  Being  twice  bloodily  repulsed  at  this  point,  they  moved  further  to 
our  left  and  hurled  a  column  upon  Col.  Hawley's  brigade  of  Gen.  Terry's  divi 
sion.  They  came  up  in  the  same  steady  and  confident  manner,  but  were  received 
with  a  more  rapid  and  equally  as  deadly  a  fire  as  that  they  were  treated  to  by 
Turner's  men.  The  Spencer  repeating  rifles,  in  the  bands  of  the  7th  Conn.,  and 
the  Springfield  rifles  of  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  delivered  a  fire  so  hot  and  wither 
ing  that  the  rebels  could  not  withstand  it,  but  broke  and  ran  for  the  woods,  ac 
celerated  in  their  flight  by  the  music  of  the  Spencer  bullets  about  them.  They 
were  determined,  however,  to  break  our  line  and  force  it  from  its  position,  cost 
what  it  would.  They  again  formed  and  were  strengthened  by  reinforcements. 
They  charged  again,  and  after  ten  minutes'  hot  work  they  were  disastrously  re 
pulsed  and  driven  back  at  all  points.  That  ended  any  serious  effort  on  their  part 
to  force  the  position  of  the  10th  Corps.  Leaving  their  dead  and  wounded,  to 
the  number  of  a  thousand,  on  the  field  before  our  line,  they  again  moved  upon 
Gen.  Smith's  front  and  attacked  his  left.  Gen.  Gillmore  immediately  ordered  Gen. 
Turner  to  attack  the  enemy  on  their  flank  and  Gen.  Terry  to  support  him.  Gen. 
Turner's  attack  was  hardly  commenced  before  Gen.  Gillmore  was  ordered,  by 
Gen.  Butler,  to  retire  and  strengthen  Gen.  Smith's  corps  by  forming  in  his  rear. 
Our  troops  fell  back  slowly  and  in  order,  repulsing  every  effort  of  the  rebels  to 
quicken  their  movement  and  making  a  stand  at  every  favorable  position  until 
the  enemy  ceased  to  follow  and  fell  back  to  their  first  line  of  intrenchments. 
Gen.  Gillmore  then  drew  off  his  corps  and  formed  in  support  of  Gen.  Smith. 
The  fighting,  which  had  been  going  on  with  more  or  less  violence  along  the 
entire  line,  ceased  at  half  past  two  P.  M.  and  preparations  were  made  to  draw 
off  our  forces  from  the  field  and  return  to  our  intrenchments.  The  artillery  was 
sent  to  the  rear,  except  a  section  to  cover  the  rear  guard.  The  ambulances, 
]oaded  with  wounded,  and  the  supply  trains  were  dispatched  to  the  rear,  and 
finally  the  entire  army  fell  back,  the  enemy  not  pursuing.  Thus  ended  this  rebel 
attack  on  our  lines. 

*         Gen.  Beauregard  commanded  in  person,  Gens.  Iloke  and 


266  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Ransom  commanding  divisions.  The  brigade  of  the  latter,  arrived  the  previous 
night  and  added  considerably  to  Beauregard's  force.  The  rebels  fought  with 
more  than  their  usual  dash  and  bravery,  as  they  seemed  determined  to  crush  our 
army  as  the  only  way  to  save  Richmond.  They  met  with  a  bloody  failure.  Their 
losses  in  killed  and  wounded  exceeded  ours,  although  the  balance  of  prisoners 
was  probably  slightly  in  their  favor.  Our  men  fought  splendidly,  and  the  Tenth 
Corps  has  established  a  reputation  for  fighting  qualities  that  will  equal  that  of 
any  in  the  army.  It  is  well  disciplined,  brave  and  efficient,  and  is  ati  honor  to 
the  department.  Maj.  Gen.  Gillmore  commanded  the  left  throughout  and  dis 
played  as  high  qualities  in  the  field,  in  the  handling  of  a  corps,  as  he  had  as  an 
engineer  officer.  He  was  assisted  by  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  S.  Foster,  chief  of  staff, 
whose  energy,  zeal  and  abilities  as  a  commander  combine  to  make  him  an  in 
valuable  officer  to  any  commander,  whether  as  chief  of  staff  or  in  the  command 
of  a  brigade  or  division.  No  little  of  our  success  is  due  to  his  energy  and  skill 
Gens.  Terry,  Ames  and  Turner  each  performed  their  respective  parts  to  the 
complete  satisfaction  of  all.  No  corps  has  better  division  commanders.  Where 
all  the  brigade  commanders  did  so  well,  it  would  be  unjust  to  discriminate  be 
tween  them.  They  have  all  the  desirable  qualities  found  in  good  soldiers. 

There  were   many  parallels   between   this  battle  and   the 

battle  of  Inkerman,  in  the  Crimea  The  hour,  for  instance,  at  which  the  attack 
was  made,  the  fog,  the  surprise,  the  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  assailants, 
the  sturdy  resistance  they  encountered,  the  reinforcement  of  the  besiegers,  and 
the  final  repulse  of  the  enemy.  Then  there  were  bayonet  charges,  hand-to-hand 
encounters  and  deeds  of  heroism  around  which  obscurity  will  forever  fold  her 
opaque  mantle." 

Gen.  Butler's  loss  was  about  three  thousand;  that  of  the  enemy 
much  greater.  Gen.  Heckman  and  Col.  Richard  White,  of  the 
55th  P.  V.,  were  among  the  captured.  The  latter  had  just  been 
relieved  in  the  command  of  the  3d  brigade,  3d  division,  10th  Corps, 
by  Col.  Guss. 

In  these  actions,  Col.  Guss'  brigade  lost  five  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine  men.  Five  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were  taken  prisoners  and 
two,  Privates  Owen  Finnegan  and  William  Wright,  both  of  Com 
pany  H,  were  wounded,  the  former  in  the  head  and  the  latter  in  the 
foot.  It  was  fortunate  to  have  escaped  with  so  small  a  number  of 
casualties,  as  the  Regiment  was  in  the  advance  and  under  fire 
during  the  actions  of  the  14th  and  16th. 

Gen.  Butler's  forces  having  successfully  resisted  the  impetuous 
endeavors  of  Beauregard  to  destroy  his  army,  during  thirteen 
hours  of  hotly-contested  conflict,  were  too  much  shattered  either  to 
advance  against  the  enemy  he  had  foiled  or  to  risk  a  renewal  of  the 
contest  before  recuperating  his  command.  He,  therefore,  deter 
mined  to  withdraw  to  his  intrenchments ;  having  also  ascertained, 


1801  1  ADVANCE   ON    WIER    BOTTOM    CHURCH    ROAD.  '207 

soon  alter  the  commencement  of  the  action,  that  Beauregard  had 
dispatched  a  heavy  force  to  attack  his  rear  and  left  flank,  from  the 
direction  of  the  Petersburg  Railroad,  and  which  was  already  ad 
vancing  on  the  Wier  Bottom  Church  Road.  At  this  time  (6  A.  M. 
on  the  16th),  the  97th  P.  V.  was  on  duty  at  the  head-quarters  of 
Gen.  Butler,  and  had  just  been  ordered  to  a  point  on  the  Richmond 
turnpike  to  receive  rations,  and  was  distributing  the  same,  when,  at 
the  hour  above  named,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  received  orders 
from  Gen.  Butler  to  get  the  Regiment  in  line  at  once  and  inarch 
as  rapidly  as  possible,  along  the  Wier  Bottom  Church  Road,  to  join 
the  13th  Ind.  and  Battery  E,  3d  U.  S.  Art'y,  and  together  obstruct 
the  advance  of  the  enemy  and  hold  him  in  check  until  the  result  of 
the  action  at  the  front  could  be  determined  and  the  remaining 
forces  of  Gen.  Butler  could  be  safely  withdrawn  or  disposed  for  fu 
ture  operations. 

At  9  A.  M.,  the  97th  P.  V.  had  joined  the  13th  Ind.  and  the 
artillery,  at  a  point  several  miles  distant,  on  the  road  indicated, 
where  this  force  was  guarding  the  extreme  left  of  Butler's  position. 
A  company  of  each  regiment  was  now  deployed  as  skirmishers  upon 
each  flank.  The  entire  force  then  moved  along  the  Wier  Bottom 
Church  Road  for  nearly  four  miles.  Occasional  shots  from  the  skir 
mishers  now  gave  notice  of  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy  in  front. 
Company  F,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  sent  forward  and  deployed  to 
the  right,  with  orders  to  move  through  the  timber  to  ascertain  the 
position  of  the  enemy  and  report  the  information  obtained  to 
Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker.  He  had  formed  the  troops  in  line  of 
battle  across  the  road  upon  which  he  had  advanced.  As  Company 
F  pushed  forward  through  the  wood,  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  was 
seen  passing  to  the  left  without  discovering  the  movement  of  our 
men.  A  messenger  was  sent  to  apprise  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker 
of  the  enemy's  approach.  A  brisk  fire  was  also  opened,  from  the 
skirmish  line  upon  the  flank  of  the  rebels,  to  check  their  advance. 
Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker's  force,  being  prepared  to  meet  them,  de 
livered  a  rapid  and  effective  fire,  which  completely  surprised  and 
drove  back  the  advance  with  precipitation,  impressed  with  the  belief 
that  they  had  struck  the  main  line  of  a  superior  force. 

After  the  enemy  had  retired,  three  scouts,  Sergt.  John  Kennedy 
and  Privates  William  T.  Meeteer  and  Samuel  G.  Scott,  were  sent 
forward,  by  Capt.  Lewis,  in  compliance  with  orders  from  Lieut.  Col. 
Pennypacker.  They  were  directed  to  advance  cautiously,  as  far  as 


268  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

possible,  to  ascertain  the  position  and  movements  of  the  main  body 
of  the  rebel  force.  This  duty  was  satisfactorily  accomplished  in  a 
short  time,  the  scouts  reporting  that  a  line  of  rebel  skirmishers  was 
lying  in  the  wood  about  three  hundred  yards  in  front  and  to  the 
left  of  our  line  of  skirmishers,  watching  the  movements  of  our  men. 
Apparently,  each  party  was  diligently  engaged  observing  the  other, 
neither  being  disposed  to  attack  without  further  observation  of  the 
situation.  The  main  body  of  Beauregard's  force  occupied  a  meadow 
in  the  rear  and  the  high  ground  upon  either  side  where  the  artillery 
was  posted.  The  enemy  appeared  to  have  come  suddenly  to  a  halt, 
no  doubt  supposing  their  progress  was  intercepted  by  a  heavy  force, 
hesitating  to  advance,  from  caution,  until  they  could  ascertain 
the  extent  of  the  opposing  force,  which,  of  necessity,  maintained 
the  defensive,  being  entirely  unsupported.  After  ascertaining  the 
situation  on  the  right,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  withdrew  Company 
F  from  the  front  and  sent  Capt.  Lewis  with  it  toward  Walthall 
Station,  on  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  three-fourths  of 
a  mile  to  the  left  of  his  position,  with  orders  to  deploy  the  company 
on  the  ridge,  between  the  main  road  leading  toward  the  intrench- 
ments,  at  Foster's  Place,  and  the  position  of  the  enemy,  to  pre 
vent  a  flanking  force  gaining  the  rear  of  his  position.  The  men 
were  deployed  as  directed,  reaching  the  ridge  under  fire  from  the 
enemy  already  in  sight  and  within  speaking  distance.  Firing  was 
kept  up  briskly  for  some  time,  when  the  rebels  ceased  firing  and 
called  upon  our  men  to  "  Surrender;  we  will  use  you  well;"  to  which 
they  replied,  "If  you  want  prisoners,  you  will  have  to  come  and 
take  them."  The  firing  soon  after  ceased.  The  enemy  made  no 
movement  toward  an  advance.  Our  men  lay  quietly  in  line,  ex 
tended  along  the  ridge  for  half  a  mile.  The  situation  was  critical 
and  the  chances  of  a  rebel  prison  seemed  quite  probable. 

About  2  P.  M.,  the  enemy  opened  fire  with  their  artillery; 
for  two  or  three  hours  the  iron  hail  pelted  the  woods  and  fields 
behind  the  position  of  our  forces  without  effect.  Every  precaution 
had  been  taken  to  present  a  strong  and  vigilant  line  along  the 
entire  front,  for  which  purpose  the  reserve  was  reduced  to  a  mere 
remnant.  Beauregard's  advance  was  thus  held  in  check  by  the 
97th  P.  V.  and  13th  Ind.  during  the  afternoon  of  the  16th.  Mean 
while,  Gen.  Butler's  forces  were  being  withdrawn  to  the  intrench- 
ments  and  the  wounded  brought  off  the  field  from  Drury's  Bluff 
and  Fort  Darling. 


1884 -J  ADVANCE   ON    WIER    BOTTOM    CHURCH    ROAD.  269 

At  dusk,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypackcr  received  orders  to  retire  cau 
tiously  to  the  intrenchments.  Rain  had  set  in  during  the  afternoon 
and  it  was  quite  cold,  the  men  suffering  greatly  while  lying  upon 
the  wet  ground  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  Soon  after  dusk, 
it  became  evident  the  rebels  were  preparing  to  advance  by  a  flank 
movement.  Orders  were  now  sent  to  the  force  on  the  left  to  fall 
back  on  the  reserve,  already  upon  the  march  by  the  main  road  to 
the  intrenchments.  The  rebels  were  by  this  time  on  the  march, 
also,  by  a  parallel  route,  but  our  forces,  having  the  inside  and  shorter 
line,  reached  camp  in  safety;  the  enemy,  however,  being  within 
musket  shot  when  the  outer  line  was  reached.  Capt.  Lewis'  force, 
in  retiring,  was  almost  intercepted,  the  enemy  having  reached  the 
main  road  in  advance  of  his  company,  obliging  him  to  make  a  de 
tour  to  avoid  capture. 

The  men  reached  camp  about  2  A.  M.  on  the  17th,  wet,  cold, 
hungry  and  tired,  having  accomplished  all  that  was  deemed  possible 
from  so  meagre  a  force,  thrown  across  the  advance  of  an  adversary 
so  wary  and  powerful,  thereby  saving  the  Army  of  the  James  from  a 
serious  disaster.  Two  men  were  wounded  and  five  captured. 

During  the  action  at  Drury's  Bluff,  the  firing  was  plainly  heard 
at  the  picket  line  occupied  by  Company  C.  Maj.  Price  received  a 
message  from  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  requesting  him  to  endeavor 
to  have  Company  C  relieved  from  picket  and  bring  to  the  Regi 
ment  all  the  men  in  camp  who  were  fit  for  duty.  Having  previously 
twice  attempted,  without  success,  to  get  the  company  relieved  or  per 
mission  for  himself  to  rejoin  the  Regiment,  he  again  went  to  Col. 
Howell  and  urged  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker's  request,  in  addition  to 
his  own  desire,  to  be  permitted  to  take  the  company  to  the  front. 
Col.  Howell  now  gave  permission  to  take  the  men  that  were  in 
camp,  but  would  not  relieve  Company  C  from  picket.  Maj.  Price 
collected  about  thirty  men,  convalescents  and  others  at  the  camp, 
and  marched  at  noon,  on  the  16th,  to  rejoin  the  Regiment.  The 
road  was  now  occupied  by  retiring  troops  and  ambulances  carrying 
the  wounded  from  the  field.  At  3  P.  M.,  while  marching  along  the 
Richmond  and  Petersburg  turnpike,  the  rear  guard  of  Gen.  Butler's 
army  was  met.  Maj.  Price  was,  therefore,  obliged  to  return  to  camp 
with  his  men,  as  the  position  of  the  Regiment  could  not  be  ascer 
tained,  the  advance  on  the  Wier  Bottom  Church  Road  being  only 
known  at  Gen.  Butler's  head-quarters.  Company  C  was  relieved 
from  picket  and  returned  to  camp  on  the  17th. 


270  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  Beauregard's  forces,  having  advanced 
to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  picket  lines,  then  assaulted  a  por 
tion  of  the  line  at  Foster's  Place,  near  Green  Plains,  from  which  a 
detachment  of  the  8th  Maine  was  driven.  About  8  A.  M.,  the  97th 
P.  V.  was  ordered  to  the  front  to  retake  the  line.  Companies  A, 
F,  D  and  I  were  deployed  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  and  advanced 
under  his  command  in  a  skirmish  line,  supported  by  the  remainder 
of  the  Regiment  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Price.  The  entire 
force  advanced  at  a  run,  against  a  brisk  fire,  charging  upon  the 
enemy's  line  in  a  brilliant  manner,  regained  the  position,  the  enemy 
retiring  to  the  shelter  of  a  ravine  and  some  buildings  adjacent, 
from  which  a  continuous  fire  of  musketry  was  kept  up  and  returned 
by  our  line  during  the  day.  Our  men  sought  every  available  ad 
vanced  point  from  which  to  reach  the  enemy  in  their  sheltered 
position.  The  windows  of  the  buildings  were  so  closely  watched 
that  our  marksmen,  sighting  the  muzzle  of  a  rebel  rifle  projecting, 
were  sure  to  deliver  a  well-directed  shot  that  often  prevented  the 
discharge  of  the  piece.  For  over  nine  hours  the  storm  of  fire  raged. 
The  ammunition,  being  several  times  exhausted,  was  replenished 
again  and  again  from  the  rear;  details  of  men,  with  gum  blankets, 
into  which  the  contents  of  the  ammunition  boxes  were  poured, 
crawled  to  the  front  dragging  the  supplies,  which  were  thrown  for 
ward  to  those  in  the  advanced  sheltered  positions,  from  which  it 
was  certain  death  to  move  while  daylight  lasted.  An  aid  of  one  of 
the  generals  said,  in  the  hearing  of  several  of  our  men,  "The  97th 
P.  V.  would  hold  that  line  three  weeks  if  kept  supplied  with  am 
munition."  Darkness  alone  closed  the  contest. 

The  casualties  had  been  severe;  four  were  killed  and  fifty-two 
wounded,  several  mortally,  who  died  soon  after.  The  total  loss  was 
fifty-seven,  as  follows:  Company  A,  one  killed,  nine  wounded; 
Company  B,  two  wounded ;  Company  C,  one  killed,  four  wounded, 
one  captured;  Company  U,  fifteen  wounded;  Company  E,  one 
wounded;  Company  F,  one  killed,  five  wounded;  Company  G,  ten 
wounded;  Company  H,  one  wounded;  Company  I,  one  wounded; 
Company  K,  one  killed,  three  wounded ;  non-commissioned  staff,  one 
wounded.  Many  of  these  were  veterans  who  had  only  a  few  days 
before  returned  from  their  homes. 

The  place  where  this  action  on  the  18th  occurred  was  known  as 
Foster's  Place.  Some  accounts  have  since  given  the  name  of  Ber 
muda  Hundred  to  both  this  and  the  action  of  the  20th,  which  took 


1864-l  ACTION  AT  FOSTER'S  PLACE,  VA.  271 

place  on  the  plain  slightly  in  the  rear  of  this  position.  By  some 
strange  inadvertence,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  left  upon  the  field  of  its 
severe  and  unremitting  contest  of  the  18th  until  10  P.  M.,  when  it 
was  relieved  by  the  48th  N.  Y.,  and  returned  to  camp  hungry,  weary 
and  begrimed  with  the  smoke  of  battle.  The  killed  and  wounded 
had  been  carried  off  the  field  during  the  day.  Among  them  were 
Capt.  Francis  M.  Guss,  Company  A,  severely  wounded  by  buck  and 
ball,  in  the  right  knee;  1st  Lieut.  Abel  Griffith,  of  the  same  com 
pany,  was  also  severely  wounded  in  the  left  wrist ;  Capt.  Samuel  V. 
Black,  Company  K,  in  the  left  arm;  he,  however,  persisted  in  re 
maining  at  the  front  for  several  hours  after  he  was  struck;  Fife  Maj. 
John  Parsons  was  wounded  in  the  lungs,  and  died  in  the  U.  S. 
Hospital,  at  Fortress  Monroe;  Corps.  M.  Davis  Thomas  and  11.  B. 
Wilson,  Company  C,  were  mortally  wounded;  both  died  a  few  days 
later  at  Fortress  Monroe.  The  killed  were  Sergt.  Isaac  Acker, 
Company  C;  Privates  Jesse  C.  D.  Stoops,  Company  A;  Milton 
H.  White,  Company  F,  and  John  C.  Guthrie,  Company  K. 

The  death  of  Sergt.  Acker  was  occasioned  by  one  of  those  irre<m- 

»  O 

larities  that  came  to  be  regarded  as  a  bane  to  the  service — the  un 
authorized  orders  of  junior  staff  officers  to  non-commissioned  officers 
and  soldiers  on  duty  at  the  front.  One  of  these,  on  a  tour  of  ob 
servation  along  the  line,  ambitious  of  displaying  authority,  ordered 
Sergt.  Acker,  with  a  few  men,  to  advance  into  a  piece  of  wood  upon 
the  left,  to  ascertain  if  there  were  any  of  the  enemy  concealed  in  it. 
He  was  informed  that  it  was  full  of  them,  but  insisted  upon  the 
advance  being  made.  There  being  no  commissioned  officer  in  sight 
to  whom  Sergt.  Acker  could  appeal,  and  not  at  liberty  to  leave  the 
position  to  ascertain  the  correctness  of  the  order,  Sergt.  Acker  felt 
it  his  duty  to  obey  the  lieutenant.  He  cautiously  advanced,  with 
three  or  four  men,  having  to  crawl  upon  the  ground  through  the 
grass.  They  had  barely  reached  the  edge  of  the  timber  when  the 
sergeant  was  shot  through  the  heart  by  a  rebel  sharp-shooter  only  a 
few  paces  in  advance.  The  men  then  returned,  dragging  his  lifeless 
body  with  them. 

Upon  seeing  the  fatal  result  of  his  order,  the  lieutenant  quickly 
retired  to  avoid  identification.  Many  efforts  were  made  to  ascer 
tain  his  name,  but  without  success;  he  evidently  took  care  to  keep 
out  of  sight  of  the  men  who  were  able  to  identify  him,  and, 
as  no  officer  saw  him  at  the  front,  he  was  not  discovered  and  held 
responsible  for  his  action.  Perhaps  under  no  other  circumstances 


272  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

would  a  like  order  have  been  obeyed  by  any  non-commissioned 
officer  of  the  Regiment,  without  the  sanction  of  one  of  their  officers 
or  an  officer  known  to  them;  but,  being  under  fire  in  action,  the 
excitement  of  the  occasion  induced  the  conviction  that  there  was  no 
choice  but  to  obey  the  order;  and  Sergt.  Acker,  faithful  to  every 
known  duty,  was  brave  enough  to  obey  rather  than  seem  to  shrink 
from  any  danger. 

Capt.  Guss  and  Lieut.  Griffith  did  not  sufficiently  recover  to 
rejoin  the  Regiment  again,  after  being  sent  to  the  U.  S.  Hospital,  at 
Annapolis,  Md.,  from  which  place  they  were  discharged,  on  account 
of  wounds  and  expiration  of  term. 

Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  medical  officer  of  the  1st  brigade,  oc 
cupied  a  small  house  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  camp  of  the 
97th  P.  V.  To  this  point  the  wounded  had  been  conveyed,  where 
they  received  the  most  efficient  care  and  attention  and  their  wounds 
were  properly  dressed  before  removal.  The  officers  were  sent  to 
Chesapeake  Hospital  and  the  men  to  Hampton  Hospital,  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  to  Point  Lookout,  Md.  Asst.  Surgeon  Eli  McClellan, 
medical  department  U.  S.  A.,  was  at  this  time  acting  medical  di 
rector  of  the  department.  He  was  assisted  by  a  large  and  efficient 
staff  of  surgeons  and  nurses,  who  did  all  in  their  power  to  relieve 
the  sufferings  of  the  brave  men  confided  to  their  care. 

Private  Henry  Albright,  Company  A,  received  an  injury  whilst 
working  with  a  detail  felling  trees  at  the  front.  He  died,  at  the 
brigade  hospital,  on  the  19th,  and  was  buried  near  the  hospital. 

On  the  evening  of  May  19,  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  E  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  under  command 
of  Maj.  Price,  were  detailed  for  picket  and  occupied  the  same  line 
which  the  Regiment  had  recaptured  and  held  on  the  18th;  being 
along  an  old  road-bed,  the  line  had  been  partially  intrenched.  Soon 
after  the  men  got  into  position,  the  enemy  charged  upon  them. 
Our  men  were  cool  and  steady,  and  having  the  honor  of  the  previous 
day's  reoccupation  and  stubborn  maintenance  of  the  same  ground 
to  sustain,  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  advancing  enemy,  repulsing 
them  with  considerable  loss.  Twice  during  the  night  the  enemy 
renewed  the  attempt  and  made  desperate  efforts  to  drive  in  the  left 
of  our  line  and  the  right  of  the  9th  Maine,  upon  our  left,  but  each 
attempt  was  repulsed  by  the  steady  and  determined  fire  of  our  men 
and  that  of  the  9th  Maine. 


18*54.] 


ACTION   AT   GREEN   PLAINS,  VA. 


213 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ACTION  AT  GREEN  PLAINS,  BERMUDA  HUNDRED;  CO-OPERATION  WITH 
THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC;  ACTION  AT  COLD  HARBOR;  RETURN  TO 
THE  JAMES;  ADVANCE  AGAINST  PETERSBURG;  ACTION  AT  PETERS 
BURG  HEIGHTS;  SIEGE  OPERATIONS;  MAY  20  TO  JUNE  23,  1864. 

HE  20th  of  May,  1804,  was  a  day  memorable  in  the 
history  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  no  less  for  the  brilliant 
test  of  the  unflinching  courage  and  fidelity  of  its 
officers  and  men  than  for  the  disastrous  results 
arising  from  the  inexcusable  misapprehension  of  the 
situation  on  the  part  of  those  who  were,  unhappily, 
in  position  to  order  the  fatal  charge,  which  swept 
down  the  ranks  of  the  Regiment  like  chaff  before 
the  wind,  as  it  marched  into  the  jaws  of  death  with 
a  dash  like  the  charge  of  the  famous  Six  Hundred  at  Balaklava.  A 
detailed  account  of  the  events  which  preceded,  and  of  the  neglect 
that  permitted,  the  day's  disaster  may  not  be  inappropriate.  This 
is  obtained  from  notes  of  his  observations  at  the  time,  made  within 
a  few  days  after,  by  Maj.  Price,  who  commanded  the  portion  of  the 
line  occupied  by  the  97th  P.  V.,  a  Maj.  Calvin  (first  name,  State 
and  regiment  not  known),  being  the  field  officer  of  the  trenches, 
having  command  of  the  entire  line: 

Having  frustrated  several  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  capture  the 
line,  it  was  evident  that  these  were  mainly  a  mask  to  cover  more 
formidable  operations  in  our  front.  During  the  night  of  the  19th, 
could  hear  the  enemy  moving  their  artillery  in  front  of  our  left  and 
centre,  the  commands  of  the  officers  being  plainly  distinguished, 
leaving  no  room  to  doubt  the  nature  of  the  movements  going  on. 
Sent  a  messenger  to  report  the  facts  to  Maj.  Calvin,  who  could  not 
be  found.  A  message  was  then  left  for  him  at  his  quarters.  At 
daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  discovered  that  the  enemy 
was  massing  troops  on  our  right  and  left,  and  beyond  it  in  front  of 
18 


274  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  9th  Maine,  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  A  force  was  also  dis 
covered,  massed  behind  a  large  house  opposite  the  centre  of  the  po 
sition,  in  rear  of  the  enemy's  line.  These  observations  were  duly 
reported,  by  messenger,  to  Maj.  Calvin.  The  morning  was  quite 
foggy,  but  it  lifted  at  intervals,  affording  opportunity  for  the  obser 
vations  made;  the  enemy  evidently  taking  advantage  of  the  fog  to 
get  their  men  into  concealed  positions  as  near  our  lines  as  possible. 
It  was  estimated  that  at  least  a  division  of  the  enemy  was  being 
massed  against  our  position.  Our  men  were  posted  in  the  line, 
at  about  three  paces  apart,  in  single  file.  Picks  and  shovels  being 
furnished,  the  men  had  worked  during  the  night  to  complete  and 

strengthen  the  defences,  so  that  by 
daylight  they  were  sheltered  by  a 
line  of  well-constructed  rifle  pits. 
Soon  after  daylight,  the  enemy's 
skirmishers  advanced  cautiously 
upon  our  right,  were  fired  upon  by 
the  pickets  and  driven  back.  A 
second  messenger  was  then  dis 
patched  with  this  information  to 

»..»»— -^,,5^—  the  officer  in  command  of  the  line, 

RIFLE  PIT!  AT  GREEN  PLAINS,  YA.       with    an    urgent    request    that    he 

(Maj.  Calvin)  come  to  the  front  and 

observe  the  situation ;  requesting,  also,  that  a  reserve  force  should 
be  immediately  sent  out,  there  being  no  support  to  the  line  nearer 
than  the  intrenchments,  more  than  a  mile  distant.  The  fog  pre 
vented  satisfactory  observation  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy  for 
a  time.  '  When  it  lifted,  there  was  revealed  a  rebel  earthwork,  on  a 
knoll  less  than  half  a  mile  distant,  with  embrasures  for  three  guns. 
An  attempt  to  mask  it  with  brush  and  fallen  trees  failed  to  conceal 
its  position  or  object.  It  was  now  8  A.  M.  The  field  officer  of 
the  day  had  not  yet  appeared  at  the  front.  The  situation,  so  well 
comprehended  by  those  in  the  line,  became  each  moment  more 
critical.  The  men,  being  three  paces  apart  in  the  rifle  pits,  though 
courageous  enough  to  stay  and  hold  the  position  against  any  ordi 
nary  force,  were  no  match  for  the  overwhelming  numbers  opposed  to 
them.  This  was  subsequently  ascertained  to  consist  of  the  rebel 
Gen.  Pickett's  entire  division.  His  skirmishers  were  several  times 
dvanced  at  different  points,  apparently  with  a  view  of  ascertaining 
the  strength  of  our  line.  Our  fire  being  well  directed,  drove  back 


a 


ACTION   AT   GREEN   PLAINS,  VA.  275 

the  advance,  but  the  little  blue  puffs  of  smoke  at  three  paces'  in 
terval  revealed  to  the  enemy  the  weakness  of  the  line  and  its  ina 
bility  to  cope  with  the  massed  troops  lying  in  wait  for  the  signal 
to  advance. 

At  8.15,  the  field  officer  not  arriving,  a  third  messenger  was 
sent  to  report  the  situation  to  Col.  II.  R.  Guss,  with  a  request  that 
the  messenger  might  be  directed  to  proceed  to  Gen.  Butler's  head 
quarters  and  report  to  him  the  approach  of  the  enemy  in  force. 
Soon  after  the  messenger  had  started,  the  field  officer  came  to  the 
front,  to  whom  Maj.  Price  reported  his  observations.  The  fog  at 
this  time,  not  entirely  lifted,  obstructed  somewhat  the  view  in  front. 
Maj.  Calvin  did  not  seem  inclined  to  give  attention  to  the  report, 
and  remarked  that  the  force  was  the  usual  reserve  of  the  pickets — 
and  the  advance  of  the  skirmishers  the  relief  of  the  picket  line — 
to  which  it  was  replied:  "Major,  I  have  been  in  the  service  nearly 
three  years  and  claim  not  to  be  mistaken  in  what  has  been  observed 
and  repeatedly  reported  to  you.  Where  arc  the  needed  reinforcements 
that  should  HOW  be  in  this  line  to  hold  it  an  hour  longer'?"  He 
then  said  a  reserve  of  two  hundred  men  was  at  the  rear.  Maj. 
Price  urged  him  to  bring  them  up  at  once  to  occupy  the  line  the 
men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  had  worked  all  night  to  render  secure. 
The  reply  was:  "/do  not  think  we  shall  be  attacked."  As  he  spoke, 
three  rebel  regiments,  with  colors  flying,  moved  out  from  behind 
the  house  in  our  front,  marching  en  echelon  obliquely  to  their  right 
across  our  front.  Maj.  Price  then  directed  the  attention  of  the 
field  officer,  who  was  standing  with  his  back  to  the  front,  to  the 
movement  of  the  enemy.  The  occasion  seemed  to  justify  the  re 
mark,  "  Major,  that  looks  like  a  rather  heavy  picket  force."  At  the 
same  instant,  the  rebel  batteries  opened  fire  upon  our  line  with  vigor, 
but  their  shell  fell  beyond  our  position  at  first;  afterward,  with 
more  deadly  effect.  A  heavy  line  of  battle  also  moved  forward,  op 
posite  our  right,  followed  by  other  lines  in  succession. 

The  aspect,  so  suddenly  changed,  seemed  to  dispel  the  confidence 
that  had  so  loftily  asserted  there  would  be  no  attack !  Expecting 
orders,  but  receiving  none — for  the  field  officer  disappeared  with 
out  having  given  a  word  of  command — it  was  evident  that  we  should 
have  the  affair  to  ourselves.  The  hope  still  remained  that  we  might 
be  able  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  by  our  fire,  until  support  could 
reach  us  from  the  intrenchments,  when  the  peril  of  the  situation 
should  be  realized  there.  Knowing  that  the  men  of  the  97th  P.  V 


276  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

would  hold  the  line  they  occupied  if  the  9th  Maine,  on  the  left, 
did  not  give  way  and  expose  the  flank;  it  was  apparent  that  the 
greatest  danger  was  to  be  apprehended  upon  the  left,  as  it  was 
believed  the  rebel  advance  upon  our  right  was  a  demonstration  to 
cover  the  design  of  turning  our  left  flank  by  a  heavy  charge  upon 
the  position  of  the  9th  Maine,  which  proved  to  be  the  case. 

After  passing  to  the  right  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  then  down  the  line 
toward  the  left,  urging  the  men  to  take  it  coolly  and  reserve  their 
fire  until  it  would  be  effective,  then  try  to  keep  the  enemy  back 
until  support  could  reach  us,  as  it  surely  must  soon ;  it  was  thought 
we  could  stay  there  if  only  the  left  did  not  fail  us.  To  make  sure  of 
this,  Maj.  Price  intimated  to  his  officers  and  men  that  he  should  go 
toward  the  left  to  see  what  could  be  done  to  keep  the  line  from 
breaking  there.  The  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  were  true  and  steady, 
so  that  confidence  remained  even  in  face  of  the  fearful  odds  ad 
vancing  against  them.  By  this  time  the  right  of  the  first  rebel  regi 
ment,  advancing  en  echelon  across  the  front  of  our  position,  had 
reached  the  edge  of  the  wood  opposite  our  left.  The  three  regiments 
then  advanced  directly  toward  our  lines  until  the  severity  of  the 
fire  of  the  97th  P.  V.  caused  them  to  lie  down  in  the  tall  grass  that 
covered  the  field. 

The  wood  in  front  of  our  left  afforded  cover  to  within  a  short  dis 
tance  of  the  position  occupied  by  the  9th  Maine.  Suddenly  a  yell 
broke  upon  our  ears  as  a  massed  column  of  rebel  infantry  charged 
upon  the  9th  Maine,  issuing  from  the  wood  a  few  yards  from  the 
lines,  yelling  and  charging  as  they  advanced  in  successive  lines. 
The  9th  Maine  broke  from  their  position  and  ran  without  firing  a 
shot,  leaving  a  gap  on  the  left  of  the  97th  P.  V.  for  the  enemy  to 
enter. 

Seeing  the  disaster,  and  hoping  to  remedy  it,  Maj.  Price  hurried 
from  near  the  left  of  his  line,  across  the  angle  formed  by  the 
lines  of  oblique  intersection  of  the  9th  Maine  with  the  97th  P.  V., 
and  intercepted  about  two  hundred  men  of  that  regiment,  a  lieute 
nant  being  the  only  officer  with  them.  With  considerable  difficulty, 
he  succeeded  in  rallying  them  and  formed  line,  discharging  a  few 
volleys,  but  the  rebels,  having  gained  the  shelter  of  the  trenches, 
opened  a  steady  fire  upon  the  position,  under  which  it  was  impos 
sible  to  keep  the  demoralized  men  faced  to  the  enemy.  They  soon 
broke  and  ran  for  cover.  Maj.  Price  then  found  himself  cut  off 
from  his  regiment,  which  still  held  its  position,  the  fire  of  the  enemy 


ACTION    AT   GREEN   PLAINS,  VA.  277 

covering  the  open  field  intervening.  Just  then  three  skirmish  lines 
of  the  13th  Ind.  were  observed  advancing  in  succession  across  the 
field  toward  Maj.  Price,  who  immediately  joined  the  advance  line 
and  was  leading  the  men  to  the  support  of  the  97th  P.  V.;  but  the 
fire  of  the  enemy,  sweeping  every  part  of  the  field,  soon  cut  down 
all  before  it.  Almost  every  man  of  the  three  lines  fell,  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

A  rebel  battery  of  field  pieces  had  opened  from  a  position  on  the 
left  with  grape  and  canister  immediately  after  they  gained  the 
trenches  occupied  by  the  9th  Maine.  This  terrible  hail  was  also 
poured  upon  us.  Maj.  Price  was  struck  by  a  spent  canister  shot 
in  the  right  thigh,  and  fell  slightly  wounded.  He  was  able  to  crawl 
forward  about  twenty  yards  to  a  ditch,  where  a  few  of  the  men  from 
the  left  of  the  97th  P.  V.  had  already  found  shelter,  having  retired 
when  the  enemy  began  to  assail  their  flank  and  rear.  The  97th  P- 
V.  was  enabled  by  its  continuous  fire  to  hold  the  advance  of  the 
rebels  in  its  immediate  front  in  check  for  a  time,  but  when  the 
enemy  had  fully  occupied  the  line  held  by  the  9th  Maine,  the  97th 
P.  V.,  being  assaulted  in  the  flank  and  rear,  could  no  longer  hold 
their  position — the  enemy  gradually  advancing  along  the  intrenched 
line — the  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.  had  to  choose  between  capture  or 
running  the  gauntlet  of  the  open  field  to  the  shelter  of  the  ditch  a 
few  yards  in  the  rear.  A  portion  of  the  4th  N.  H.,  occupying  the 
line  to  the  right  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  also  forced  to  retire  The 
most  escaped  in  safety,  but  many  were  wounded  there,  and  pre 
viously,  by  shot  and  shell. 

Capt.  J.  M.  C.  Savage,  Company  B,  on  the  right,  was  left  in  com 
mand  of  the  detachment  of  the  97th  P.  V.  when  Maj.  Price  assumed 
command  of  the  entire  line  abandoned  by  the  field  officer.  Capt. 
Savage  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  hip  and  abdomen  while 
bravely  holding  the  ditch.  He  was  carried  off  the  field  by  some  of 
his  men.  Over  one  fourth  of  the  number  were  killed  or  wounded ; 
a  few  were  captured  by  the  enemy. 

When  it  was  realized  at  head-quarters  that  the  enemy  had  ad 
vanced  and  occupied  a  portion  of  our  line,  the  13th  Ind.  and  about 
three  hundred  men  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  who  were  not  on  duty  when 
the  line  was  captured  in  the  morning,  under  command  of  Col. 
Cyrus  J.  Dobbs,  of  the  13th  Ind.,  were  ordered  to  advance  and  re 
capture  the  line.  It  seemed  impossible  even  yet  for  those  in  au 
thority  to  realize  the  nature  of  the  attack  the  enemy  had  made, 


278  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

else  surely  so  inadequate  a  force  would  never  have  been  thus  reck 
lessly  sent  to  assault  a  force  so  greatly  superior,  in  a  line  so  well 
intrenched. 

When  arrived  near  the  front,  Company  D,  of  the  97th  P.  V., 
under  command  of  Capt.  W.  S.  Mendenhall,  was  sent  forward  to 
reconnoitre.  At  about  4  P.  M.,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  was  or 
dered,  by  Col.  Dobbs,  to  form  his  regiment  in  line  of  battle  across 
the  open  field  and  to  charge  the  right  of  the  rebel  lines,  stating  that 
the  centre  was  already  taken.  Company  D  was  then  withdrawn 
and  formed  on  the  left  of  the  other  companies.  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  then  advanced  his  line  across  the  field  toward  the  rebel  po 
sition,  charging  in  gallant  style,  the  men  keeping  well  together 
When  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  rebel  lines  a  murderous  fire 
of  musketry,  grape  and  canister,  from  six  field  pieces,  was  poured 
through  their  ranks,  mowing  them  down  in  swift  destruction,  until 
more  than  half  the  line  was  prostrated.  Still  the  noble  fellows  kept 
on  with  their  gallant  leader,  who  had  twice  fallen,  and  rising  again 
pushed  forward,  cheering  his  men  in  the  effort  to  reach  the  rebel 
lines.  But  falling  again,  for  the  third  timo,  severely  wounded,  his 
shattered  and  broken  ranks  were  compelled  to  retire,  taking  shelter 
in  the  ravine,  previously  noticed,  where  they  remained  until  dark, 
it  being  impossible  to  gain  the  rear  exposed  to  the  withering  fire  of 
Gen.  Pickett's  division. 

During  the  advance,  seven  color  bearers  were  shot  down  succes 
sively,  as  they,  in  turn,  grasped  the  standard  from  the  hands  of 
those  who  fell  in  the  desperate  charge,  the  last  of  the  guard,  himself 
wounded,  bringing  the  tattered  banner  and  its  shattered  staff  safely 
from  the  field,  pierced  with  over  one  hundred  bullets,  three  of 
which  struck  the  staff. 

While  in  this  position,  several  efforts  were  made,  by  the  enemy, 
to  capture  the  men,  but  they  kept  up  a  fire  on  the  rebel  forces  that 
approached.  When  their  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  a  man 
of  the  13th  Ind.,  who  was  with  the  97th  P.  V.,  recollected  that  his 
company,  when  ordered  into  the  action,  had  left  some  boxes  of  ammu 
nition  at  a  point  some  distance  off,  which  he  thought  he  could  find, 
the  only  difficulty  being  to  cross  the  space  swept  by  the  enemy's 
guns.  Corp.  I.  A.  Cleaver,  of  Company  C,  though  severely 
wounded  in  the  foot,  volunteered  to  help  him  make  the  attempt. 
They  succeeded  in  crawling  beyond  the  range  of  fire,  secured  the 
contents  of  the  boxes  in  their  gum  blankets  and  returned  a  distance 


1884  ]  ACTION    AT   GREEN  PLAINS,  VA. 

of  near  one-quarter  of  a  mile,  again  successfully  evading  the  fire, 
and  reached  the  ravine  with  their  ammunition. 

By  crawling  stealthily  through  the  grass,  some  of  the  dead  and 
wounded  were  reached  and  brought  to  the  ravine,  by  the  edge  of 
which  the  dead  were  laid  and  buried  by  covering  them  with  earth 
dug  to  make  a  more  defensive  shelter  from  the  enemy's  fire.  The 
picket  line  had  been  re-established  at  some  distance  in  the  rear  of 
the  ravine.  At  dark,  those  who  still  occupied  it,  with  Capts.  Men- 
denhall  and  Lewis,  were  in  the  dilemma  of  having  to  run  the 
gauntlet  of  a  double  fire,  the  pickets  being  required  to  be  vigi 
lant  against  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Upon  consultation,  they 
determined  to  wait  until  the  moonrise,  about  10  P.  M.,  should  give 
them  better  advantage.  Sergt.  Cleaver,  whose  wound  had  become 
very  painful,  was  the  first  to  go  in.  After  crawling  about  one  hun 
dred  yards,  he  was  observed  and  hailed  by  the  pickets  of  his  own 
company,  who  recognized  his  voice.  He  passed  in,  and  the  signal 
agreed  upon,  two  guns,  were  then  fired  to  inform  the  others  that 
they  could  now  come  back  in  safety  The  wounded  were  then  car 
ried  to  the  rear,  where  stretchers  were  in  readiness  to  bear  them  to 
the  hospital.  The  men  returned  to  camp  stiff,  sore  and  weary,  a 
mere  squad  of  those  who  started  out  in  the  morning. 

The  charge  of  the  97th  P.  V.  was  the  admiration  of  all  who 
witnessed  it,  being  in  full  view  of  both  lines  on  an  open  plain, 
and  made  with  a  steadiness  and  daring  seldom  if  ever  equalled — a 
brilliant  movement,  led  bravely  and  gallantly  by  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer,  then  a  slender  youth,  yet  a  veteran  in  the  service,  who 
knew  how  to  obey  orders  even  at  such  fatal  risk.  Knowing  it  must 
be  fruitless,  because  unsupported,  neither  he  nor  the  brave  men  with 
him  thought  of  aught  but  duty,  and  they  never  faltered  at  the  com 
mand  "  Forward." 

It  was  not  until  after  this  charge,  at  such  fearful  cost,  and  the 
loss  of  so  many  of  its  brave  and  noble  men,  cut  down  in  a  moment 
of  time,  that  the  results  of  Maj.  Price's  observation  in  the  morning 
could  be  fully  comprehended  at  head-quarters,  or  the  fact  realized 
that  the  enemy  had  massed  a  heavy  force  in  our  front  for  an  attack. 
Need  it  have  required  such  terrible  sacrifice  to  verify  what  should 
have  been  accepted  as  reported  and  guarded  against  before  the  time 
for  averting  the  danger  had  been  lost? 

When  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  was  carried  from  the  field,  by  his 
men,  it  was  found  that  he  was  wounded  severely  through  the  right 


280  BISTORT    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

arm,  left  leg  and  right  side.  He  received  the  kind  and  prompt 
attention  of  Surgeon  J.  R.  Everhart,  acting  brigade  surgeon,  who 
dressed  his  wounds  at  the  camp  of  the  Regiment.  He  remained  in 
his  tent  until  the  next  day,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  general  hospital 
at  Fortress  Monroe.  He  subsequently  returned  to  West  Chester, 
where  he  remained  until  partially  recovered,  and  rejoined  the  Regi 
ment  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  August  12,  1864. 

The  officers  killed  in  this  action  were  1st  Lieut.  Isaac  Fawkes, 
Company  D,  a  faithful  soldier  and  reliable  officer,  who  was  shot 
through  the  groin  and  side.  1st.  Lieut.  George  H.  Durnall  and  2d 
Lieut.  Lewis  H.  Watkin,  both  of  Company  H,  were  left  on  the  field 
where  they  fell,  our  men  being  prevented  from  reaching  them  by  the 
enemy's  sharp-shooters.  Both  were  young  men  of  great  merit,  and 
had  but  recently  been  promoted.  Company  H  lost  all  its  commis 
sioned  officers,  and  nearly  all  its  non-commissioned  officers  either 
killed  or  wounded.  Capt.  George  A.  Leniaistre  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  left  wrist  and  left  leg;  Sergt.  John  A.  Russell, 
Company  H,  who  brought  in  the  colors  after  they  had  fallen  from 
six  successive  bearers  stricken  down,  was  also  severely  wounded  in 
the  leg.  In  addition  to  Maj.  Price  and  Capt.  Savage,  already  men 
tioned  as  having  been  wounded  early  in  the  action,  the  following 
officers  were  also  wounded,  viz.:  Capt.  William  S.  Mendenhall,  Com 
pany  D,  slightly  wounded  in  the  abdomen;  Capt.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis, 
Company  F,  slightly  in  left  foot;  1st  Lieut.  Gasway  O.  Yarn  all,  Com 
pany  G,  slightly  in  the  breast,  and  2d  Lieut.  William  H.  H.  Gibson, 
Company  I,  severely  in  the  left  knee.  Capts.  Savage  and  Lemaistre 
and  Lieut.  Gibson  were  sent  to  the  U.  S.  Hospital,  at  Fortress  Mon 
roe,  Va.  The  two  former,  in  consequence  of  the  severity  of  their 
wounds,  were  prevented  from  rejoining  the  Regiment. 

Capt.  Savage  was  discharged  on  October  22,  1864,  and  Capt.  Le 
maistre  on  September  20,  1864.  Lieut.  Gibson  returned  to  his 
company  in  July,  and  served  with  the  Regiment  until  its  final 
muster  out,  after  being  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant. 

The  wounded  were  conveyed  in  ambulances  from  the  brigade 
hospital  to  the  Point  of  Rocks,  on  the  night  of  the  20th  and  morn 
ing  of  the  21st,  where  about  one  hundred  of  those  most  severely 
wounded  were  placed  on  board  the  hospital  boat  Sylvan  Shore, 
under  the  charge  of  Dr.  Sawyer,  a  volunteer  surgeon  serving  with 
the  medical  corps.  These  were  transferred  to  the  hospitals  at 
Fortress  Monroe. 


1864-]  ACTION    AT   GREEN    PLAINS,  VA. 

About  thirty-throe  others  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  with  a  number  of 
other  wounded  soldiers  were  placed  on  board  the  barge  Gen.  Wool, 
on  the  21st,  and  conveyed  under  charge  of  a  volunteer  surgeon  to 
Bermuda  Hundred  Landing,  where  they  were  transferred  to  the 
hospital  boat  City  of  New  York,  under  charge  of  Col.  (since  brevet 
brigadier  general)  John  E.  Mulford,  of  the  3d  N.  Y. 

These  were  sent  to  Hammond  Hospital,  Point  Lookout,  Md. 
Eight  of  these  wounded  men  were  afterward  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  One  of  the  number,  1st  Sergt,  James 
Edgar  Engle,  Company  I,  who  was  wounded  in  the  face,  body  and 
arm,  the  latter  amputated,  was  discharged  on  August  24,  following, 
to  accept  promotion  as  2d  lieutenant  in  the  16th  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  Col.  Charles  M.  Prevost,  with  which  lie  served  until  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Of  the  captured,  only  two  were  exchanged,  one  of  whom  returned 
to  the  Regiment.  But  few  of  those  severely  wounded  ever  recovered 
sufficiently  to  rejoin  their  companies,  being  mustered  out  in  hospital 
on  account  of  wounds  or  of  expiration  of  term.  Of  those  who 
were  able  to  rejoin  the  Regiment,  several  were  soon  afterward  again 
wounded,  some  within  a  few  days  after  their  return. 

The  following  exhibits  the  loss  sustained  by  each  company  during 
the  action  of  the  20th,  known  as  that  of  Green  Plains,  Va.,  viz.: 
field  and  staff,  one  wounded;  Company  A,  two  killed,  five  wounded, 
one  captured;  Company  B,  one  killed,  seven  wounded;  Company 
C,  four  killed,  twenty-one  wounded,  one  captured ;  Company  1),  four 
killed,  nine  wounded;  Company  E,  one  killed,  three  wounded,  ten 
captured;  Company  F,  seven  killed,  eighteen  wounded;  Company 
G,  four  killed,  sixteen  wounded;  Company  H,  ten  killed,  fourteen 
wounded;  Company  I,  four  killed,  twenty  wounded;  Company  K, 
ten  killed,  fifteen  wounded.  Total,  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight. 

For  several  days  after  this  action  the  Regiment  seemed  broken, 
sad  and  desolate;  so  many  in  each  company  had  fallen,  which 
caused  mourning  for  companions  and  friends,  and  the  wounded  being 
sent  off  to  the  general  hospital,  were  also  missed  from  their  tents; 
at  roll  call  the  sad  answer,  "Dead,"  "Wounded,"  or  "Prisoner," 
told  of  the  absence  of  many  who  never  again  responded  to  the  call. 

Every  effort  continued  to  be  made  to  reach  the  bodies  of  the 
slain,  which  still  lay  unburied  between  the  lines,  the  enemy  re 
fusing  to  allow  our  men  to  move  out  for  the  purpose  with  a  flag  of 
truce.  Each  night  two  or  three  were  brought  in,  until  all  were 


282  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

brought  off  that  the  daring  men  could  reach  by  crawling  stealthily 
over  the  field. 

Maj.  Price's  wound  causing  but  slight  lameness,  he  resumed  duty 
on  the  23d.  when  he  took  command  of  the  Regiment,  retaining  it 
until  August  13. 

After  the  disastrous  action  of  the  20th  of  May,  those  responsible 
for  the  unfortunate  mistake  which  thrust  the  97th  P.  V.  into  the 
jaws  of  death  and  needless  slaughter,  in  order  to  escape  the  deserved 
censure  attaching  to  such  a  blunder,  sought  to  cast  the  blame  upon 
Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  through  intimations  that  he  did  not  move 
in  accordance  with  his  orders. 

An  account  of  the  action,  published  in  the  New  York  Tribune 
and  New  York  Herald,  evidently  prepared  by  those  interested  in 
shifting  the  responsibility  of  the  disaster  upon  others,  stated  "  That 
Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  not  properly  understanding  the  order, 
moved  across  the  open  field  instead  of  under  cover  of  the  wood." 
This  seemed  too  unjust  to  be  allowed  to  pass  in  silence.  The  officers 
and  men  of  the  Regiment  could  not  permit  this  attempt  to  mar  the 
fair  fame  of  their  gallant  leader  to  go  unrebuked.  It  was  more 
than  endurable  that  their  fallen  comrades  should  have  been  so  need 
lessly  slaughtered,  without  this  base  attempt  to  slaughter  the  repu 
tation  of  their  brave  commander.  A  communication  was,  there 
fore,  prepared,  on  the  morning  the  libellous  report  was  received, 
while  the  Regiment  was  lying  at  a  halt  by  the  way,  awaiting  the 
assembling  of  the  brigade  for  the  march.  After  being  attested,  by 
every  officer  and  man  who  heard  the  order  given,  it  was  duly  for 
warded  to  the  Tribune  office  and  was  published  in  that  journal,  in 
vindication  of  our  brave  wounded  leader. 

A  CORRECTION. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97TH  P.  V.,  K)TH  A.  C.,  IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  CITY  POINT,  YA., 

May  2T,  1864. 
To  the  Editor  of  the  New  York  Tribune: 

SIR:  I  desire  to  correct  some  of  the  statements  of  your  correspondent  J.  W., 
of  date  May  20,  from  this  place.  The  parenthetical  remark  (quoted  from  J.  W.), 
that  "  the  most  accurate  observer  is  liable  to  be  misinformed,"  will  obviate  the 
need  of  apology  for  my  so  doing.  The  first  error  is  in  stating  that  "the  Qlth 
New  York"  was  a  part  of  the  force  occupying  the  rifle  pits.  It  was  the  97^ 
Pennsylvania,  which,  with  a  portion  of  the  4th  N.  H.,  were  in  the  centre  of  the 
line  and  remained  in  the  trenches  until  the  rebels  had  gained  their  rear  through 
the  opening  left  by  the  retiring  of  the  9th  Maine,  the  9th  Maine  being  on  the 
left  of  the  line  attacked.  The  next  error  is  the  statement  that  "the  leader  of 


1804-1  ACTION   AT   GREEN    PLAINS,  VA. 

the  97th  P.  V.,  in  the  charge  upon  the  left,  had  mistaken,  or  rather  not  followed 
his  orders."  The  orders  were  plainly  given,  by  Col.  Cyrus  ,1.  Dobbs,  of  the  13th 
ind.,  to  whom  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  commanding  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  ordered 
t  >  report,  and  were  distinctly  heard  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  by  Capt.  D.  W. 
C.  Lewis,  commanding  Company  F,  by  1st  Lieut.  J.  T.  Skiles,  acting  adjutant 
97th  P.  V.,  and  by  several  other  officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment  who  were 
near  enough  to  render  any  mistake  impossible.  All  agree  in  testifying  to  the 
words  of  the  command:  "Colonel,  form  your  regiment  in  line  and  charge  the 
left  of  those  works,  the  right  is  taken."  The  charge  was  made  with  that  prompt 
and  unquestioning  obedience  to  orders  characteristic  of  the  gallant  officer  who 
led  it. 

Your  correspondent  is  in  error,  also,  when  he  states  that  "they  ran  desperately 
forward,  hesitated,  wavered  and  ran  back  all  in  a  moment  of  time."  On  the 
contrary,  the  regularity  of  the  line  and  its  steady,  unwavering  front,  even  under 
the  murderous  fire  of  grape  and  canister  and  terrible  musketry  of  the  enemy, 
is  the  universal  testimony  of  thousands  who  witnessed  it;  and  when  at  length 
the  utter  impossibility  of  gaining  the  rifle  pits  became  apparent — when  more  than 
half  the  line  had  fallen  and  the  leader  of  the  brave  boys  was  three  times 
wounded  and  down,  a  halt  was  made  and  the  order  to  retire  given — the  line 
came  back  in  order  slowly  across  the  open  space  where  so  many  had  fallen. 
There  was  no  "run,"  no  "wavering,"  no  "mistaking  of  orders."  "Somebody  had 
blundered,"  but  it  was  neither  the  97//i  P.  V.  nor  its  gallant  leader,  who  only 
too  well  obeyed  the  orders  given  him.  'Tis  said  in  the  famous  charge  of  the 
Six  Hundred,  "somebody  blundered ;"  so  in  this.  But  the  order  was  obeyed  a.s 
faithfully,  leaving  a  record  rivaling  that  famous  one  in  its  fearful  carnage.  Let 
no  imputation  of  error  or  mistake  be  cast  upon  the  brave  who  fell,  needlessly 
fell,  following  their  gallant  leader,  in  obedience  to  orders,  "into  the  jaws  of 
death." 

Another  correspondent,  same  date,  signed  W.  II.  K.,  states  that  the  97th  P. 
V.  and  13th  Ind.,  in  an  attempt  to  retake  the  rifle  pits,  were  ordered  to  move 
through  (through  italicized)  the  woods.     Those  regiments  moved  just  where  they 
were  ordered  to  move,  as  can  be  abundantly  proven  where  the  facts  are  known. 
Respectfully,  yours,  ISAIAH  PRICE, 

Capt.  97t h  P.  V.,  Comd'g  Reg't. 


This  communication  was  ropublishcd  in  the  papers  of  Chester 
and  Delaware  Counties.  It  was  expected  that  the  publication 
might  subject  the  writer  to  censure,  perhaps  to  the  extent  of  for 
feiting  his  commission  in  the  service.  But  in  view  of  the  circum 
stances  this  risk  was  accepted,  believing  it  was  justified  and  rested 
as  a  paramount  duty  upon  the  present  commander  of  the  Regiment, 
in  vindication  of  his  friend  and  commanding  officer,  now  helpless 
and  defenceless  from  his  wounds,  yet  feeling  all  the  more  keenly  the 
injustice  of  the  published  reports  of  the  affair. 

On  May  21,  part  of  the  Regiment  again  went  on  duty  in  the 


284  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

trenches.  The  enemy  had  been  constantly  increasing  their  force  in 
front  of  Gen.  Butler's  position.  Gen.  Pickett's  division  having  in 
trenched  the  ground  secured  on  the  20th,  and  mounted  his  artillery, 
opened  fire  upon  Gen.  Butler's  works.  His  shot  and  shell  came 
crashing  at  intervals  through  the  camps  in  the  rear  of  the  intrench- 
ments.  It  became  evident  the  enemy  meant  to  attack. 

About  10  P.  M.,  on  the  21st,  Gen.  Butler  was  apprised,  by  a 
messenger  from  the  front,  that  the  enemy  were  massing  their  forces 
in  front  of  Gen.  Gillmore's  position,  the  centre  of  the  line.  Butler 
nonchalantly  replied,  "Let  them  mass,  but  guard  against  surprise." 
The  valiant  troops  of  Gen.  Gillmore,  thus  menaced,  were  always  on 
the  alert.  Deep  ravines  protected  the  lines  on  Gen.  Butler's  right 
and  an  impassable  swamp  and  a  ravine  also  rendered  his  left  quite 
secure  from  attack.  The  centre  was,  therefore,  the  only  available 
point  for  the  enemy  to  concentrate  upon.  Shortly  before  midnight, 
a  volley  of  musketry  broke  the  stillness  and  aroused  the  toil-worn 
soldiers  in  the  camp.  The  call  to  arms  was  beat  before  the  echoes 
of  the  enemy's  guns  had  been  repeated.  The  timely  discovery  of 
their  intentions  afforded  Gen.  Gillmore  ample  opportunity  to  give 
them  a  warm  reception.  Our  pickets,  in  front  of  Gen.  Ames'  line, 
received  the  enemy's  fire  with  great  steadiness,  returning  volley  for 
volley  as  they  gradually  retired  upon  their  reserve.  When  the 
rebel  column  approached  it  was  received  with  a  most  withering  fire. 
Our  men  then  dropped  to  allow  the  artillery  to  play  over  them  and 
upon  the  enemy.  The  siege  guns  and  light  batteries  then  com 
menced  their  work.  The  advance  of  the  rebels  was  mowed  down 
like  grass,  but  they  came  up  to  the  breach  like  veterans,  filling  up 
the  gaps  as  the  men  fell,  but  the  incessant  fire  from  our  batteries 
at  last  halted  them  and  the  confident  foe  was  stayed  in  their  mad 
career.  Gen.  Beauregard  led  the  assaulting  column — a  very  heavy 
force.  The  attack  was  most  impetuous  and,  but  for  Gen.  Gillmore's 
wariness  and  skill,  supported  by  the  indomitable  courage  and  valor 
of  his  well-tried  10th  Corps,  might  have  succeeded.  The  battle 
lasted  nearly  two  hours  and  was  probably  one  of  the  most  desperate 
conflicts,  in  the  time  occupied  and  the  number  of  men  engaged,  that 
occurred  during  the  war.  Soon  after  the  action  commenced,  a  shell 
from  one  of  Capt.  Loomis  L.  Langdon's  Battery  M,  1st  U.  S.  Art'y, 
struck  and  exploded  a  rebel  caisson,  scattering  death  and  destruction 
all  around  it.  The  gunboats  in  the  James  and  Appomatox  Rivers 
also  opened  their  batteries  and  operated  successfully  against  the 


1864.]   BEAUREGARD'S  ASSAULT  ON  THE  INTRENCHMENTS  REPULSED.    285 

enemy's  flanks  and  their  reserve  forces  in  the  rear.    Gen.  Gillmore's 
loss  was  about  ten  killed  and  fifty  wounded. 

When  the  enemy  had  withdrawn,  our  men  proceeded  to  bury 
the  rebel  killed  left  on  the  field.  Among  the  wounded  prisoners 
who  fell  into  our  hands  was  Brig.  Gen.  William  8.  Walker,  whose 
leg  was  amputated  by  Surgeon  John  J.  Craven,  of  the  medical  de 
partment,  10th  Corps.  He  subsequently  recovered  and  was  paroled 
and  exchanged. 

The  position  occupied  by  Butler's  forces,  on  a  neck  of  land 
formed  by  the  course  of  the  two  rivers,  was  now  demonstrated  to  be 
impregnable  to  any  force,  however  formidable,  that  might  attempt 
to  take  it  while  defended  by  the  veterans  of  the  10th  and  18th 
Corps. 

On  the  22d,  a  working  party  of  the  enemy  appeared  in  front  of 
our  works  and  began  to  use  their  spades  and  axes.  One  of  our 
batteries  opened  fire  upon  them  and,  by  a  few  well-directed  shots, 
postponed  their  operations.  The  97th  P.  V.  continued  to  furnish  a 
part  of  the  regular  detail  for  duty  at  the  front  each  day  until  the 
27th,  when,  in  conformity  with  orders  received  from  Gen.  Grunt,  to 
send  him  all  the  troops  that  could  with  safely  be  spared,  to  reinforce 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  on  the  peninsula,  advancing  upon 
Richmond,  Gen.  Butler  dispatched  the  18th  Corps  and  the  2d  divi 
sion  of  the  10th,  being  about  seventeen  thousand  of  the  most  efficient 
men  of  his  entire  force  of  twenty-five  thousand,  under  command  of 
Brig.  Gen.  WTilliam  F.  Smith,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  W'hite 
House,  Va.  The  97th  P.  V.  had  been  transferred,  on  May  28,  from 
the  1st  brigade,  3d  division,  to  the  3d  brigade,  2d  division,  l()th 
Corps.  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  bri 
gade;  the  division  being  commanded  by  Gen.  A.  Ames. 

The  division  left  the  front  on  the  afternoon  of  May  27,  marched 
three  miles  and  encamped,  for  the  night,  near  the  Burnt  House, 
about  three  miles  from  Bermuda  Hundred  Landing.  The  march  to 
the  landing  was  resumed  the  next  afternoon.  The  97th  P:  V., 
being  one  of  the  last  to  embark,  had  halted  at  some  distance  from 
the  wharf;  when  ready  to  go  on  board,  after  dark,  were  piloted  to 
the  vessel  by  Lieut.  Col.  William  L.  James  and  his  brother,  E.  F. 
James,  both  of  West  Chester.  The  former,  being  Gen.  Butler's  chief 
quarter-master,  had  provided  well  for  his  friends  of  the  97th  P.  V. 
in  the  assignment  of  transports.  The  brief  period  of  the  embarka 
tion  was  rendered  most  pleasant  by  the  presence  and  attention  of 


286  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

those  familiar  friends  who  were  personally  known  to  many  in  the 
Regiment.  Gen.  Smith's  force,  having  all  embarked,  proceeded 
down  the  James  River  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  thence  up  the  Pa- 
munky  River  to  White  House,  Va.,  where  the  troops  were  landed 
on  May  30.  The  regiments  of  the  10th  Corps  encamped  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  landing,  under  shelter  tents,  to  await  the  ar 
rival  of  the  remainder  of  the  division.  The  18th  Corps  marched 
immediately  to  the  front.  While  at  White  House  Landing,  the 
1st  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  commanded  by  Col.  William 
Cooper  Talley,  of  Delaware  County,  arrived,  en  route  home,  their 
term  of  service  having  expired.  They  had  in  charge  about  seven 
hundred  rebel  prisoners,  captured,  by  Grant's  Army,  at  the  Wilder 
ness.  There  were  many  happy  meetings  of  friends  and  relatives 
among  the  officers  and  men  of  the  two  regiments,  some  of  the  com 
panies  having  been  recruited  in  the  same  locality.  The  Reserves 
had  also  occupied  Camp  Wayne.  t 

On  June  2,  Col.  Guss  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  3d 
brigade  and  returned  to  his  regiment,  but  did  not  resume  the  com 
mand,  having,  for  reasons  more  fully  stated  in  a  future  paragraph, 
tendered  his  resignation  to  the  commanding  general  of  the  depart 
ment;  he  awaited  its  acceptance.  Col.  Louis  Bell,  of  the  4th  N.  H., 
was  now  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  brigade,  to  which  the 
169th  N.  Y.  had  been  added.  Col.  Bell  was  quite  desirous  to  have 
Adjt.  H.  W.  Carruthers,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  upon  his  staff  as  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general.  Twice  the  detail  was  made  and  the 
colonel  twice  made  the  request  personally,  but  the  adjutant  politely 
declined  his  kind  offer,  preferring  to  remain  with  his  regiment, 
knowing  that  his  own  desire  was  seconded  by  Maj.  Price,  who, 
while  unwilling  to  allow  his  wishes  to  stand  in  the  way  of  this  pro 
motion,  felt  the  need  of  his  support  in  the  command  of  the  Regi 
ment  after  the  departure  of  their  beloved  commander.  From  this 
time,  until  August  22,  when  he  was  stricken  down  in  battle,  Adjt. 
Carruthers  stood  by  the  Regiment  and  its  commander  with  a  fidelity 
unequalled,  never  absent  from  the  head-quarters  or  from  his  post  of 
duty  for  over  half  an  hour  at  a  time.  During  most  of  this  period, 
both  officers  were  constantly  engaged  in  the  front  line,  with  the 
Regiment  ready  for  instant  service,  night  and  day,  often  without 
opportunity  of  laying  aside  arms  or  accoutrements,  save  to  unbuckle 
the  gear  and  lay  down  with  the  harness  on,  prepared  to  repel  the 
night  attack  at  the  opportune  moment. 


ACTION    AT   COLD    HARBOR,  VA. 


287 


The  97th  P.  V.  remained  at  White  House  until  June  3,  furnish 
ing  its  portion  of  the  picket  force  at  that  place,  until  ready  to  inarch 
to  the  front.  On  that  day,  at  2  P.  M.,  Gen.  Ames'  division  started 
on  the  march  for  Cold  Harbor,  Va.  Soon  after  leaving  camp,  met 
trains  of  supply  wagons,  from  Grant's  Army,  on  the  way  to  White 
House  for  rations;  also  ambulances  with  the  wounded  from  the  action 
of  the  previous  day  at  Cold  Harbor.  The  march  was  very  fatiguing, 
owing  to  the  extreme  heat  and  the  dust  of  the  roads.  Parties  of 
skirmishers  were  kept  out  on  the  flanks  during  the  march.  These  oc 
casionally  encountered  straggling  rebel  cavalry  scouts,  capturing 
several  by  the  way. 

After  a  march  of  about  seventeen  miles,  reached  the  lines  at  Cold 
Harbor  at  1  A.  M.,  on  the  4th,  having  halted  for  over  an  hour  at 
sunset  to  rest  the  men  and  get  supper. 


^Qfgp+q^jjSSF*^ 

POSITION    OF   OEK.  SMITH'S   COMMAND    AT   COLD    HAIUJOR,   VA. 

The  Regiment  went  immediately  upon  duty  with  Gen.  Smith's 
command,  in  the  front  line,  confronting  Gen.  Longstreet's  Corps. 
Firing  commenced  soon  after  daylight;  first  on  the  right,  then  on 
the  left;  then  in  our  front;  attack  and  repulse,  counter  attack  and 
repulse  followed,  as  had  been  the  case  on  the  previous  day;  the 
battle  being  renewed  with  determination,  on  the  part  of  the  rebels, 
to  drive  our  army  from  its  position.  The  rank  and  file  of  this  por 
tion  of  the  Army  of  the  James  seemed  conscious  of  their  duty  and 


288  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  importance  of  sustaining  their  reputation  before  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  with  which  it  was  then  for  the  first  time  associated  in 
battle.  Our  men  stood  up  to  their  work  with  a  steadfastness  and  reso 
lution  seldom  equalled.  The  interval  between  the  lines  was  covered 
with  the  dead,  dying  and  maimed  soldiers  of  each  army;  but  the 
firing  was  so  incessant  that  it  was  certain  death  to  attempt  to  reach 
them.  The  crash  and  roar  of  artillery,  the  rattling  of  musketry,  the 
bright  glare  of  flashing  guns,  the  deep  yell  and  cheer  of  the  charge 
along  the  line,  filled  the  air  with  the  din  of  battle  almost  without 
interruption. 

A  succession  of  battles  ensued  from  the  2d  of  June  to  the  6th,  the 
heaviest  on  the  3d,  but  by  no  means  decisive;  neither  army  be 
coming-  master  of  the  field  at  that  time.  A  short  suspension  of 
hostilities  occurred  on  June  5,  when  each  side  gathered  up  their 
wounded  and  buried  their  dead.  The  position  of  the  97th  P.  V., 
from  the  time  it  arrived  at  Cold  Harbor  until  the  withdrawal  of  the 
troops,  on  June  12,  was  one  of  danger,  at  the  front  continually,  being 
moved  from  point  to  point  on  the  line  held  by  the  18th  Corps  and 
the  2d  division  of  the  10th,  wherever  an  attack  was  threatened. 
Bravely  and  well  did  the  Regiment  maintain  its  reputation  for 
courage  and  efficiency  at  all  times,  the  men  fulfilling  their  duty 
promptly  and  uncomplainingly. 

On  the  evening  of  June  4,  the  Regiment  being  on  duty  at  the  front, 
Maj.  Price  received  orders,  from  Col.  Curtis,  of  the  142d  N.  Y., 
commanding  1st  brigade,  2d  division,  and  in  command  of  the  line, 
to  send  out  a  detail  of  men  to  fell  trees  to  prevent  the  enemy  ad 
vancing  through  the  wood.  A  covering  party  was  also  sent  out.  The 
men  were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy,  close  in  front,  as  soon  as  the  cut 
ting  commenced.  Private  Wellington  S.  Fisher,  Company  F,  with 
the  covering  party,  in  attempting  to  gain  the  shelter  of  a  stump 
from  which  to  keep  up  a  return  fire,  was  shot  and  instantly  killed 
by  a  rebel  concealed  behind  the  stump  he  was  endeavoring  to  reach. 
Several  others  were  wounded.  Seeing  that  further  effort  would 
result  in  needless  sacrifice  of  the  men,  Maj.  Price  reported  the  situa 
tion  to  Col.  Curtis,  who  ordered  the  work  discontinued. 

While  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  Lieut.  Col.  Baynton  J.  Hickman,  of 
the  49th  P.  V.,  a  Chester  Countian,  visited  the  Regiment  and  passed 
several  hours  at  head-quarters,  where  he  was  cordially  welcomed  by 
many  friends  and  associates  among  the  officers  and  men  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  it  being  quite  a  rare  occurrence,  in  our  experience,  to  meet 


'  ACTION   AT    COLD   HARBOR,  VA. 

with  home  friends  in  the  service,  owing  to  having  been  so  long  iso 
lated  from  Pennsylvania  regiments  other  than  the  55th,  76th,  85th 
and  104th  P.  V.,  and  those  not  of  our  own  district. 

The  casualties  in  the  97th  P.  V.,  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  were  one 
killed  and  nine  wounded,  and  one  man  of  Company  F,  missing. 

On  June  12,  the  forces 
at  Cold  Harbor  were  with 
drawn.  The  Army  of  the 
Potomac  moved  toward  the 
James  River,  which  it  crossed 
at  Wilcox's  Landing.  The 
18th  Corps  and  the  2d  divi 
sion  of  the  10th  were  the 

last  to  leave  Cold  Harbor.     OEN  8MITH,8  nEAD.QUARTER8)  COLD 
Gen.  Smith  remained  at  his 

head-quarters,  warily  observant  of  the  enemy  in  his  front,  until  his 
troops  were  on  the  march  returning  to  White  House  Landing. 

They  embarked  on  transports,  June  13,  and  proceeded,  via  Pa- 
munky  and  James  Rivers,  to  Point  of  Rocks,  near  City  Point,  where 
the  97th  P.  V.  landed  at  dark,  on  the  14th,  and  marched  to  the  bluff 
near  the  landing,  where  it  prepared  to  bivouac  for  the  night.  At  9 
P.  M.,  orders  were  received  to  join  the  remainder  of  the  division, 
encamped  near  the  Burnt  House,  three  miles  distant.  The  march 
occupied  until  midnight.  At  5  o'clock,  on  the  next  morning,  the 
division  was  on  the  return  march  toward  the  Appomattox  River,  by 
the  same  route  the  Regiment  had  taken  during  the  night,  passing 
the  spot  where  it  had  bivouacked,  and  might  have  remained  resting 
until  morning,  but  for  the  red  tape  orders  that  moved  it  to  where 
the  division  was  encamped. 

The  troops  of  Gen.  Smith's  command  crossed  the  Appomattox, 
on  a  pontoon  bridge,  near  the  lookout  signal  station,  at  Point  of 
Rocks;  then  advanced  toward  Petersburg,  in  three  columns:  Gen. 
Martindale's  division  of  the  18th  Corps  moved  upon  the  right,  and 
Gen.  W.  T.  H  Brooks'  division,  18th  Corps,  with  the  2d  division 
of  the  10th,  occupied  the  centre,  while  Kautz's  Cavalry  advanced 
upon  the  extreme  left  in  order  to  reach  the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg 
Railroad.  The  centre  column  came  on  the  first  lines  of  the  enemy's 
works  about  five  miles  from  Petersburg.  These  were  carried  by 
Gen.  Hink's  colored  troops,  with  a  loss  of  about  sixty-five  in  killed 
and  wounded.  Two  field  pieces  and  a  few  prisoners  were  captured 
19 


290 


HISTORY    OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[June, 


DEFENCES   OF   RICHMOND   AND   PETERSBURG. 


1864  ]  ACTION    AT    PETERSBURG    HEIGHTS.  291 

The  march  was  continued  rapidly  by  the  advancing  columns  until, 
within  two  and  a  half  miles  of  Petersburg,  the  enemy's  intrenched 
lines  were  reached,  extending  from  the  Appomattox  across  the  range 
of  commanding  heights  near  the  city,  forming  a  strong  line  of  de 
fence.  The  troops  were  formed  in  line,  under  cover  of  a  wood  and 
sprout  clearings,  which  skirted  the  open  fields  before  the  enemy's 
works,  across  which  the  range  was  unobstructed.  When  the  line 
had  been  extended  sufficiently,  the  men  were  directed  to  lie  down 
and  await  orders. 

Capt.  James'  Battery,  Company  C,  3d  R.  I.  Art'y,  maintained  a 
well-directed  fire  upon  the  enemy's  works  during  the  afternoon. 
A  line  of  skirmishers  was  sent  forward  through  the  clearing  to  re 
connoitre  the  position.  The  enemy  opened  fire  upon  these,  by 
which  many  of  the  men  lying  in  the  wood  were  wounded;  among 
them  several  of  the  97th  P.  V.  Just  before  sunset,  Gen.  Smith 
moved  the  18th  Corps  and  the  2d  division  of  the  10th  in  three 
lines  upon  the  enemy's  works.  First,  a  line  of  skirmishers  reached 
and  carried  some  French  rifle  pits  from  which  the  enemy  had 
continued  to  fire  until  they  were  close  upon  them ;  then  begged  for 
quarters.  The  97th  P.  V.,  in  the  second  line,  advanced  upon  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  next  line  of  rifle  pits;  then  pushed  upon 
the  strong  earthworks  upon  the  heights,  four  of  which  were  carried 
in  succession  by  the  division  and  the  18th  Corps.  The  entire  force 
making  a  brilliant  charge,  occupied  the  earthworks  with  but  little 
loss,  capturing  four  hundred  prisoners,  sixteen  field  pieces  and  con 
siderable  ammunition. 

These  works,  consisting  of  a  powerful  salient,  four  redoubts,  and 
a  connecting  line  of  intrenchments,  were  built  in  the  most  sub 
stantial  and  approved  manner,  formidable  and  impressive,  suggestive 
of  the  wide  difference  between  the  positions  of  assault  and  defence. 

Capt.  James'  Battery  supported  the  charge  gallantly,  keeping  up 
an  incessant  fire  until  the  moment  our  men  reached  the  crest  of 
the  earthworks.  The  force  occupying  the  lines  where  the  charge 
was  made  were  surprised  by  the  suddenness  of  the  advance.  Re 
inforcements  were  being  pushed  to  the  front  from  the  workshops  of 
Petersburg.  Some  of  the  prisoners  captured  had  been  engaged  at 
their  usual  avocations  in  the  city  at  noon  of  that  day.  Our  loss 
was  comparatively  small,  owing  mainly  to  the  well-directed  fire  of 
Capt.  James'  Battery,  keeping  the  enemy  from  firing. 

The  importance  of  this  line  of  works  could  only  be  appreciated  by 


292 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[June, 


those  who  examined  it.  Those  who  participated  in  the  capture  feel 
confident  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  successes  of  the  war. 
They  will  always  have  a  pride  in  their  share  therein. 

Gen.  Smith,  satisfied  with  his  success,  rested  his  forces  until  morn 
ing,  notwithstanding  the  clearness  and  brightness  of  the  full  moon 
favored  a  continuance  of  the  advance  before  the  enemy  could  be  re 
inforced  from  Richmond  and  Lee's  Army.  Gen.  Hancock,  with  two 
divisions  of  the  2d  Corps;  forming  the  van  guard  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  came  up  at  nightfall,  and,  courteously  waiving  seniority, 
tendered  his  force  to  Gen.  Smith,  who  put  part  of  it  into  the  cap 
tured  works,  relieving  his  own  troops,  but  made  no  further  advance. 
Gen.  Hancock,  who  had  not,  up  to  5  P.  M.  of  that  day,  been  ap 
prized  that  Petersburg  was  to  be  assaulted,  had  lost  some  hours  of 
the  morning  waiting  for  rations,  and  some  further  time  had  been 

lost  in  marching,  by  an  inaccurate 
map  taking  him  too  far  to  the  left. 

After  the  earthworks  on  the 
heights  had  been  captured,  the  97th 
P.  V.  moved  to  the  right,  and  occu 
pied  the  heights  at  Ur.  Friend's 
house,  an  eminence  overlooking  the 
city  of  Petersburg  and  the  inter 
vening  country;  two  lines  of  the 
enemy  being  in  plain  view,  the  next 
morning,  at  the  foot  of  the  slope. 

During  the  night,  the  reverse  face  of  the  hill  was  intrenched, 
which  occupied  the  troops  until  morning.  Advance  parties  were  sent 
forward,  during  the  early  part  of  the  night,  to  ascertain  the  position 
of  the  enemy.  They  were  able  to  proceed  for  a  considerable  dis 
tance,  encountering  only  straggling  parties,  a  few  of  whom  were 
captured.  Later  in  the  night,  the  rebel  lines  were  re-established 
at  a  short  distance  in  our  front.  Before  morning,  a  very  different 
enemy  confronted  and  menaced  the  advance  upon  Petersburg. 

The  van  of  Lee's  veterans  was  now  before  us.  By  their  arrival, 
the  fall  of  Petersburg,  so  imminent  and  so  possible  the  evening 
before,  was  now  indefinitely  postponed. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  a  line  of  skirmishers  with 
strong  support,  dashed  rapidly  forward,  from  Gen.  Smith's  lines, 
near  Friend's  house,  to  intercept  and  capture  a  rebel  force,  occupy 
ing  a  position  behind  some  buildings  on  the  banks  of  Harrison's 


Dr..  FRIEND'S  TTOTTSK. 


1864.] 


ACTION    AT    PETERSBURG    HEIGHTS. 


293 


creek,  three  hundred  yards  distant.  They  were  met  by  a  severe  fire 
from  the  enemy  which  caused  the  line  to  waver.  Seeing  the  peril  of 
the  situation  and  the  need  of  encouragement,  the  boys  of  the  97th 
P.  V.  arose  in  the  trenches  and  sent  forth  hearty  cheers.  The  line 
then  dashed  forward  again  and  carried  the  position,  capturing  over 
two  hundred  prisoners.  The  batteries  at  Friend's  house  had,  by  a 
well-directed  fire,  routed  this  force  from  the  adjacent  trenches,  to 
seek  concealment  behind  the  bank  and  the  buildings. 

The  day  following  being  excessively  hot,  and  the  men  exhausted 
by  previous  marches,  there  was  no  further  advance  made.  'Occa 
sional  firing  was  kept  up  between  the  skirmish  lines  of  the  opposing 
forces. 

During  the  16th,  Gen.  Warren,  with  the  5th  Corps,  and  Gen. 
Burnside,  with  the  9th,  came  up,  followed  by  the  greater  part  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Gen.  Smith  now  occupied  the  right,  reaching  from  the  Appomat- 
tox  to  the  heights  just  beyond  Friend's  house.  Burnside,  War 
ren  and  Hancock  extended  the  line  toward  the  left,  with  Kautz's 
Cavalry  covering  the  flank. 

Gen.  Meade,  having 
made  this  disposition  of 
his  army,  returned  to 
City  Point  for  consulta 
tion  with  Gen.  Grant,  at 
his  head-quarters.  Gen. 
Meade,  at  2  P.  M.,  was 
again  at  the  front,  making 
preparations  for  a  general 

assault,  which  was  delivered  at  6  P.  M.  Hancock's,  Burn  side's  and 
part  of  Warren's  Corps  went  forward,  facing  bravely  a  terrible  fire 
from  a  sheltered  and  formidable  foe. 

A  night  of  combat  and  carnage  resulted  in  a  general  advance 
of  our  lines  at  heavy  cost.  Maj.  Gen.  Birney's  division  of  the 
2d  Corps  had  stormed  and  carried  the  ridge  in  his  front,  while 
Burnside,  repelled  at  first  by  the  deadly  fire  he  encountered, 
carried,  at  daylight,  the  outwork  defying  him,  capturing  four  guns 
and  four  hundred  prisoners.  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  B.  Potter's  division, 
which  made  this  desperate  charge,  was  now  relieved  by  Brig.  Gen. 
James  H.  Ledlie's,  which  pushed  Burnside's  advance  still  further  to 
a  point  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  city.  At  other  points,  there 


GEN.  GRANT'S  HEAD-QUAIITEKS  AT  CITY  POINT. 


294  BISTORT    OF    THE   NINETY-SEYENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

had  been  less  progress,  which  left  part  of  Burnside's  position  pro 
jected  somewhat  through  the  enemy's  otherwise  continuous  lines- 
Upon  this  projection,  the  next  night,  the  enemy  made  a  most 
vigorous  assault,  driving  Burnside's  forces  back  with  heavy  loss. 

At  5  P.  M.,  on  the  16th,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  the  support 
of  the  2d  Corps,  engaged  in  an  assault  on  the  left  of  the  line.  The 
97th  P.  V.  reached  its  destination  about  9  P.  M.,  in  time  to  support 
the  advance  made  by  Hancock's  troops,  and  relieved  a  force  that 
had  driven  the  enemy  about  half  a  mile  through  the  woods,  across 
ravines  and  gullies  to  a  point  near  an  old  rebel  camp  of  log  huts. 
It  was  requisite  to  move  cautiously  and  avoid  any  exposure,  as  the 
enemy  was  in  close  proximity  to  our  position  in  a  strong  line  of 
intrenchments.  The  remainder  of  the  night  was  spent  in  reversing 
and  strengthening  the  works  captured.  This  was  accomplished 
under  a  heavy  fire,  but  the  Regiment  escaped  without  casualties. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  it  was  found  that  the  line  was  so 
close  to  the  enemy,  and  so  much  exposed,  as  to  render  it  difficult  to 
relieve  the  line  in  the  usual  manner  by  daylight.  The  relieving 
force  found  shelter  under  the  -crest  of  rising  ground  in  the  rear. 
An  orderly  reached  Maj.  Price,  with  verbal  directions  to  him  to 
have  his  men  get  back  into  the  rear  line  the  best  way  they  could. 
The  orderly  was  then  asked:  "Where  is  the  force  that  is  to  relieve 
the  Regiment]"  The  answer  was:  "Lying  back  there,  over  the 
ridge."  Maj.  Price  replied:  "They  must  come  in  here  before  we 
go  out,  for  the  97th  Regiment  will  never  leave  this  line  empty 
without  a  written  order  from  the  officer  in  command."  The  written 
order  was  brought.  Maj.  Price  then  went  along  the  line  and  ex 
plained  to  the  men  that,  at  a  signal  from  him,  they  must  all  spring 
out  of  the  trenches  and  back  into  the  next  line,  which  was  accom 
plished  with  slight  casualties,  several  making  narrow  escapes.  Pri 
vate  J.  J.  Still,  Company  C,  being  struck,  it  was  thought  he  was 
killed;  but,  when  pulled  over  the  ridge  into  safety,  it  was  found  the 
ball  had  entered  his  cartridge-box,  glancing  off  without  causing 
much  injury.  The  relieving  force  then  ran  forward  into  the  line. 

A  detachment  of  the  2d  Corps  relieved  the  brigade  at  8  A.  M. 
The  most  of  the  regiments  rested  during  the  day,  a  short  distance  in 
rear  of  the  line,  it  being  deemed  advisable  to  keep  the  force  near  at 
hand  in  case  of  attack.  A  heavy  advance  picket  was  thrown  for 
ward  to  drive  the  rebel  pickets  from  their  position  in  front  of 
Friend's  house,  on  the  old  race  course,  near  Petersburg,  from  which 


THE   ADVANCE   AGAINST   PETERSBURG.  295 

quarter  an  attack  by  the  enemy  was  anticipated.  Capt.  W.  S.  Men- 
denhall  was  in  command  of  the  detail  from  the  3d  brigade,  consist 
ing  of  Companies  D  and  G  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  and  other  companies 
of  the  brigade,  in  all  about  three  hundred  men.*  They  advanced 
and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  rifle  pits  in  the  cornfield,  and 
occupied  the  entire  valley.  This  force  was  subjected  to  a  heavy 
fire  during  most  of  the  day.  The  men  found  shelter  in  pits  dug 
with  their  bayonets,  taking  advantage  of  every  favorable  point  in 
the  ground.  Capt.  Mendenhall's  force  was  relieved,  later  in  the 
evening,  by  a  detail  from  the  6th  Corps,  when  he  was  directed  by  an 
aid-de-camp  to  report  at  Friend's  house  for  instructions.  He  there 
learned  that  the  division  was  on  the  march  toward  Bermuda  Hun 
dred,  it  having  been  ordered  to  rejoin  the  10th  Corps  at  that  place- 
The  march  of  the  division  commenced  about  9  P.  M.  Heavy  mus 
ketry  firing  was  heard  along  the  entire  line,  while  moving  to  the 
right,  indicating  a  still  further  advance  upon  the  enemy's  lines. 
Capt.  Mendenhall's  detachment  overtook  the  Regiment  just  after 
it  had  crossed  the  pontoon  bridge  near  Point  of  Rocks.  The  divi 
sion  arrived  at  the  intrenchments  near  Foster  Place  at  midnight  and 
encamped,  the  men  being  worn  out  with  their  long  night's  march, 
continuous  hard  work  in  the  trenches,  and  in  action  at  the  front, 
having  lost  much  rest  during  several  successive  nights.  The  Regi 
ment  continued  to  furnish  its  portion  of  the  pickets  with  the  other 
troops  stationed  at  Bermuda  Hundred. 

A  number  of  sick  men  who  had  been  left  in  the  field  hospital  and 
at  City  Point  Hospital,  when  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Cold 
Harbor,  now  rejoined  it.  With  them  came  Elwood  P.  Baldwin, 
formerly  1st  lieutenant  of  Company  H,  who  had  resigned  in  No 
vember,  1862,  and  returned  home  on  account  of  sickness.  He  had 
recovered  and  returned  to  the  Regiment,  having  re-enlisted  as  a 
private  in  his  old  company.  In  a  short  time,  he  was  detailed  for 
duty  in  the  brigade  commissary  department,  and  afterward  received 
promotion. 

Col.  H.  R.  Guss  having  tendered  his  resignation  to  the  command 
ing  general,  on  account  of  the  manifest  injustice  exhibited  toward 
him,  by  a  commanding  officer,  received  notice  of  its  acceptance  on 
June  23.  It  would  not  be  proper  to  give  in  detail  an  account  of 

*Capt.  Mendenhall  thinks  that  another  company  of  the  9Hh  P.  V.  was  with 
him,  either  B  or  K,  but  his  recollection  is  not  clear  upon  this  point. 


296  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  tjuue' 

the  want  of  fairness  with  which  this  faithful  and  efficient  officer  was 
persistently  treated  during  most  of  the  period  subsequent  to  his  re 
suming  command  of  the  brigade  at  Drury's  Bluff,  May  14.  It  cul 
minated  in  his  being  relieved  of  his  command,  on  the  march  to 
Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  4,  under  circumstances  indicating  the  deter 
mination  arrived  at  to  fill  his  place  with  a  personal  favorite,  his 
junior  in  rank  and  inferior  in  qualification,  under  whose  command 
Col.  Guss'  was  ordered  to  resume  the  command  of  his  Regiment. 

Conscious  of  the  undeserved  humiliation  intended,  self-respect 
demanded  that  he  adopt  the  only  course  left  him  consistent  with 
his  untarnished  honor. 

Before  parting  with  their  beloved  colonel  and  brigade  commander, 
the  officers  of  his  regiment  united  in  a  testimonial,  expressive  of 
their  regard  and  sincere  regret,  yet  recognizing  the  necessity 
of  the  course  determined  upon  as  the  only  one  possible  under  the 
circumstances.  The  following  letter,  transmitting  the  enclosed  tes 
timonial,  was  addressed  to  Col.  Guss  by  the  adjutant  of  the  Regi 
ment: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97xn  PA.  VOLS.,  IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  BERMUDA  HUNDRED,  VA., 

June  23,  1864. 
COLONEL  HENRY  R.  Guss,  97iH  PA.  YOLS. 

COLONEL:  I  have  the  honor,  on  behalf  of  the  officers  of  your  Regiment,  to 
transmit  the  enclosed  expression  of  their  esteem  and  regard  for  you,  as  a  gentle 
man  aud  a  soldier,  which  was  gotten  up,  in  a  hasty  manner,  upon  learning  that 
you  had  resigned  your  commission  as  colonel  of  the  97th  Regiment. 

They  regret  that  their  situation  in  the  field  prevents  them,  at  this  time,  from 
transmitting  you  a  more  solid  testimonial. 

Permit  me,  for  myself,  to  say  that — inasmuch  as  I  have  served  with  you  so 
long,  in  more  than  one  campaign,  at  the  same  time  with  uninterrupted  harmony 
and  good-fellowship — your  resignation  severs  an  official  tie  which  has  heretofore 
mingled  pleasure  with  duty. 

Having  been  so  intimate  with  you,  and  on  your  personal  staff  for  so  long  a 
period,  I  shall  feel  and  regret  your  absence  more,  perhaps,  than  any  one  else. 

I  wish  you  success  in  any  and  every  sphere  of  life  in  which  you  may  engage, 
and  sincerely  hope  that  "All  your  ways  may  be  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all 
your  paths  be  peace." 

I  remain,  Colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  W.  CARRUTHERS, 

Adjt.  97th  Pa.  Vols. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97in  PA.  YOLS.,  IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  BERMUDA  HUNDRED,  VA., 

June  23,  1864. 

COLONEL  HENRY  R.  Guss,  97TH.  PA.  YOLS. 
COLONEL:  We,  the  undersigned,  commissioned  officers  of  the  97th  Pa.  Vols., 


1864-1  TESTIMONIAL   TO   COLONEL   H.  R.  GUSS.  297 

present  with  the  Regiment,  learn,  with  deep  regret,  that  you  have  resigned  your 
commission  as  Colonel  of  the  Regiment. 

Permit  us,  therefore,  your  comrades  in  arms,  upon  the  eve  of  this  separation, 
to  express  to  you,  in  a  hasty  but  most  sincere  manner,  our  high  regard  for  and 
appreciation  of  your  social  qualities  as  a  gentleman,  and  your  ability  and  gal 
lantry  as  a  soldier  and  an  officer. 

For  nearly  three  years,  Colonel,  we  have  marched  shoulder  to  shoulder  amid 
the  ravages  of  battle  and  disease;  together  we  have  toiled  and  labored  hard,  un 
dergone  exposures  and  hardships  which  the  uninitiated  know  not  of;  but  we 
never  yet  have  bad  occasion  to  regret  the  day  or  the  hour  when  the  standard  of 
the  Regiment  was  delivered  to  us  and  you  assumed  the  high  and  arduous  re 
sponsibility  of  Commandant  of  the  Regiment. 

We  have  become  attached  to  you  not  ,.nly  for  your  noble  and  manly  attributes; 
but  the  further  fact  that  the  Regiment  was  recruited  and  organized  under  your 
auspices,  has  drawn  us  more  closely  to  you.  It  is,  therefore,  with  no  feigned 
regret  that  we  submit  to  your  withdrawal  from  our  midst  at  the  present  moment. 
Allow  us  to  add  that  the  causes  which  induced  you  to  resign  are  not  unknown 
to  us,  and,  although  we  wish  you  to  remain  with  us  until  the  expiration  of  the 
term  of  the  Regiment,  we  nevertheless  see  in  this  an  indication  of  spirit  and 
manliness  which  will  not  brook  dishonor,  and  is,  therefore,  to  be  admired  and  imi 
tated. 

In  laying  down  the  sword  and  returning  to  the  duties  of  civil  life,  we  beg  you 
to  take  with  you,  Colonel,  our  best  wishes  for  long  life,  happiness  and  prosperity, 
and  our  assurances  that  you  will  ever  be  kindly  remembered  by  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  your  old  command. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  Colonel, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

ISAIAH  PRICE,  Major  97th  P.  V..  Comd'g  Regt. 

'HENRY  W.  CARRUTHERS,  Capt.  97tb  P.  V.  and  Adjt.  Regt. 

JOHN  R.  EVERIIART,  Surgeon  97th  P.  V. 

WILLIAM  C.  MORRISON,  Asst.  Surgeon  97th  P.  V. 

WILLIAM  S.  MENDENHALL,  Capt.  97th  P".  V.,  Comd'g  Co.  D. 

G.  W.  HAWKINS,  Capt.  97th  P.  V.,  Comd'g  Co.  I. 

CALEB  HOOPES,  Capt.  97tb  P.  V.,  Comd'g  Co.  G. 

SAMUEL  V.  BLACK,  Capt.  97th  P.  V.,  Comd'g  Co.  K. 

JOHN  McGRATii,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  E. 

FRANCIS  J.  EACHUS,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  C. 

JOHN  WAINWRIGHT,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  F. 

GASWAY  O.  YARNALL,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  G. 

JAMES  T.  SKILES,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  B. 

LEVI  L.  MARCH,  1st  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  K. 

WILLIAM  H.  EVES,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  G. 

JAMES  MCWILLIAMS,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  E. 

THOMAS  COSGRIFF,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  F. 

ISAAC  J.  BURTON,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  A. 

GEORGE  W.  DUFFEE,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  I. 

JACOB  G.  LOWRY,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  B. 

HENRY  KAUFFMAN,  JR.,  2d  Lieut.  97th  P.  V.,  Co.  C. 


298  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

Col.  Guss  accordingly  prepared  to  return  home,  parting  with  the 
officers  and  men  on  the  evening  of  June  23,  1864,  as  the  Regiment 
marched  out  of  camp  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  to  cross  the  Appo- 
mattox.  The  feeling  of  sadness  and  regret  was  universal.  -In  the 
departure  of  their  beloved  commander,  each  man  was  conscious  of 
losing  one  who  had  been  also  as  a  father  and  friend  to  all.  Before 
leaving  the  department,  Col.  Guss  addressed  the  following  letter  of 
farewell  to  the  Regiment: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97m  PA.  VOLS.,  IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  POINT  OF  ROCKS,  YA., 

June  23,  1864. 
To  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEN  OF  THE  97TH  P.  Y. 

FELLOW  SOLDIERS:  Impelled  by  reasons  which  my  sense  of  honor  as  a  man, 
and  my  good  name  as  a  soldier,  would  not  permit  me  to  disregard,  I  tendered 
my  resignation  as  Colonel  of  this  Regiment.  That  resignation,  as  you  know,  has 
teen  accepted  by  the  major  general  commanding,  and  before  you  see  this  letter 
I  shall  be  on  my  way  home. 

I  earnestly  desired  to  say  a  few  words  to  you  as  an  organization  before  I  ieft, 
but  want  of  time,  and  the  fact  that  you  were  underarms  and  preparing  to  march 
to  meet  the  enemy,  prevented  me  from  doing  more  than  merely  clasping  the 
hands  of  a  part  of  your  number. 

You  will  pardon  me,  therefore,  for  not  bidding  you  a  formal  good-bye,  but  I 
beg  to  assure  you  that  you  will  always  be  kindly  and  affectionately  remembered 
by  me.  Although  I  am  separated  from  you,  I  can  truthfully  say  that  my  in 
terest  in  you,  and  in  your  success  in  your  future  career  during  this  fierce  and 
mighty  struggle  for  Liberty  and  Union,  will  not  cease.  I  shall  watch  your  course 
and  your  actions  with  the  same  eagerness  and  the  same  solicitude  as  ever. 

From  experience,  I  know  that  you  will  do  your  duty  wherever  you  may  be  as 
signed  and  it  is  my  sincere  wish  and  prayer  that  you  may  pass  through  this  stern 
ordeal  of  battle  and  toil  in  safety  and  with  honor.  And  when  your  term  of  ser 
vice  has  expired,  I  can  assure  you  that  no  one  will  be  more  delighted  than  myself 
to  welcome  you  back  to  home  and  friends. 

Having  organized  the  Regiment,  and  served  with  it  so  long,  I  think  I  have  a 
right  to  feel  a  just  pride  in  you  and  in  the  services  you  have  rendered  to  your 
country,  in  the  camp  and  in  the  field,  and,  therefore,  so  much  the  more  do  I  leave 
you  with  deep  and  sincere  regret. 

I  congratulate  you  all,  officers  and  men,  for  the  reputation  you  have  achieved 
for  gallantry  and  discipline,  and  I  thank  you  all  for  your  courtesy  and  kindness 
toward  me  and  for  your  flattering  expressions  of  regret  at  my  separation  from 
you. 

Again  wishing  you  success  and  good  fortune  in  your  future  career,  I  remain, 
Your  sincere  friend  and  well  wisher, 

HENRY  R.  Guss. 


1864  1  THE    ADVANCE    AGAINST    PETERSBURG.  299 


CHAPTER  X. 

CEMETERY  HILL;  PETERSBURG  MINE;  WIER  BOTTOM  CHURCH;  DEEP 
BOTTOM;  NEW  MARKET  HEIGHTS;  STRAWBERRY  PLAINS;  FORT 
GILMER;  DARBYTOWN  ROAD;  CHARLES  CITY  ROAD;  DARBYTOWN; 
CHAPIN'S  FARM;  JUNE  23  TO  DECEMBER  2,  1864. 

EFORE  the  acceptance  of  the  resignation  that  separated 
the  97th  P.  V.  from  their  beloved  commander,  it  was 
known  to  the  troops  of  the  10th  Corps  that  their  com 
manding  general,  Quincy  A.  Gillmore,  had  applied  to 
be  relieved  from  the  command  thereof,  which  being  ap 
proved,  that  officer  left  the  department  about  January 
18,  1864,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  entire  corps,  the 
officers  and  men  of  which  had  the  most  implicit  confi 
dence  in  his  abilities  and  skill.  Brig.  Gen.  W.  II.  T. 
Brooks,  commanding  a  division  of  the  18th  Corps,  was  temporarily 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  10th  Corps,  which  he  retained  until 
the  acceptance  of  his  resignation,  near  the  middle  of  July. 

Gen.  Ames  was  now  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  2d  division 
and  assigned  to  duty  with  the  18th  Corps,  and  Brig.  Gen.  John  W. 
Turner,  who  had  commanded  the  3d  division  of  the  l()th  Corps,  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  2d  division,  which  had  now  received  the 
appellation  of  the  "Flying  Division."  It  was  not  permitted  to 
remain  long  with  the  corps.  Orders  wrere  received  to  return  to 
duty  with  the  18th  Corps,  in  front  of  Petersburg. 

Soon  after  Col.  Guss  had  taken  leave  of  the  Regiment,  the  divi 
sion  moved  out  of  camp  and  crossed  the  Appomattox;  then,  owing 
to  the  mistake  of  the  guide,  marched  by  a  circuitous  route  nearly 
all  night,  reaching  the  front  at  2.30  A.  M.  on  tho  24th.  The  divi 
sion  relieved  a  portion  of  the  9th  Corps,  the  97th  P.  V.  occupying 
a  position  in  front  of  Cemetery  Hill;  continued  in  the  front  line 
of  intrenchments,  alternately  with  other  regiments  of  the  command, 
one  week  at  a  time;  then  changed  to  the  second  line  a  few  yards  in 


300 


HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[June, 


BULLET-PROOF   IN    THE   WOOD. 


rear  of  the  first,  both  being  con 
stantly  under  fire.  Casualties  most 
often  occurred  in  the  second  line. 
Almost  constant  firing  was  kept  up 
between  the  pickets,  whose  position 
was  in  close  range  of  each  other. 
Safety  was  only  secured  by  erecting 
bullet-proof  shelter  of  logs  in  the 
woods  and  by  digging  gopher  holes 
in  the  hillsides. 

Frequent  night  attacks  occurred, 
the    enemy  advancing   under  cover 

of  the  darkness,  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  the  pickets,  requiring 
constant  vigilance  to  thwart  their  designs.  The  incessant  fire 
rendered  it  unsafe  at  any  time  to  venture  from  the  shelter  of  the 
earthworks  and  bombproofs.  Many  were  killed  and  wounded,  while 
walking  about  in  rear  of  the  lines,  by  shot  from  the  enemy  aimed 
at  men  in  the  front  lines.  Mortar  shell  were  daily  thrown  by  the 
enemy  along  portions  of  the  line  with  considerable  effect,  the  range 
being  remarkably  accurate.  A  return  fire  by  our  mortars  generally 
resulted  in  silencing  the  enemy's  fire.  There  was  no  cessation  of 
active  service  for  any  of  the  troops  in  the  trenches  during  the 
period  from  June  24  until  the  end  of  July.  During  this  time, 
neither  officers  nor  men  could  remove  their  clothing  for  rest  or  lay 
aside  their  arms  and  accoutrements;  these  were  required,  by  order, 
to  be  kept  constantly  ready  for  instant  service. 

A  detail  of  sharp-shooters  was  made  from  the  97th  P.  V.  on  June 
27,  the  best  marksmen  of  each  company  being  selected  for  this 
arduous  and  dangerous  service.  A  pioneer  corps  was  also  detailed 
from  the  Regiment,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Eves,  of  Company  G. 
They  were  engaged  in  repairing  roads,  removing  obstructions  and 
in  perfecting  the  defences  of  the  lines. 

At  night,  the  men  lay  with  their  arms  beside  them  in  the  trenches, 
one-half  of  the  force  being  kept  awake,  during  half  the  night,  while 
the  remainder  slept,  the  others  in  turn  keeping  watch  until  morning. 
The  intrenched  lines  extended  several  miles  to  the  left,  parallel  in 
many  places,  only  a  few  yards  distant  from  each  other.  At  com 
manding  points,  most  elaborate  earthworks  were  constructed;  those 
then  completed  were  Forts  McGilvery,  Steadman  and  Haskell;  later 
operations  extended  the  line  to  Fort  Sedgwick  and  beyond  the 


1864] 


ACTION    AT   CEMETERY    HILL. 


301 


•"•   '"--• 

INTERIOR  OF  FORT  8TEADMAN. 


Jerusalem  Plank  Road. 
Forts  Stradman  and 
Sedgwick  were  par 
ticularly  hot  places. 
To  the  latter  the  men 
gave  the  name  of  Fort 
Hell,  when,  not  to  be 
outdone,  the  rebels 
called  Fort  Mahone, 
vis-a-vis  to  the  other, 
Fort  Damnation.  A 
view  of  the  former  lo 
cality  is  here  given. 

On  June  30,  an  advance  was  ordered  upon  the  enemy's  works, 
near  Cemetery  Hill,  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  the  attention  of 
the  rebels,  while  a  larger  force,  under  Col.  William  B.  Barton, 
48th  N.  Y.,  commanding  the  2d  brigade,  2d  division,  was  to  assault 
the  enemy's  works  to  the  right  of  the  hill.  One  hundred  men  of 
the  97th  P.  V.,  with  three  hundred  detailed  from  the  169th  N.  Y., 
the  4th  X  H.,  the  9th  Maine  and  the  13th  Ind.,  all  under  command 
of  Capt.  W.  S.  Mendenhall.  Company  I),  97th  P.  V.,  moved  by 
the  flank  from  the  line  of  intrenchments  at  5  P.  M.,  passing  a  strip 
of  woods  and  meadow,  and  reached  the  cover  of  a  steep  bank  upon 
which  the  advanced  pickets  were  stationed.  Halting  at  a  point 
where  Col.  Barton's  position  could  be  observed,  Capt.  Mendenhall 
formed  his  line  of  battle:  the  97th  P.  V.  and  13th  Tnd.  on  the 
right,  9th  Maine  and  4th  N.  H.  in  the  centre,  and  the  169th  X.  Y. 
on  the  left;  then,  charging  up  the  hill  and  across  an  open  field, 
the  wood  beyond  was  gained.  A  brisk  fire  was  then  opened  by  this 
force  on  the  rebel  lines,  a  few  yards  distant.  The  fire  was  sharply 
returned  by  the  enemy.  Capt.  Mendenhall  held  his  position,  de 
livering  a  rapid  fire  on  the  enemy.  Meanwhile,  Col.  Barton's  force 
had  not  advanced.  The  situation  of  the  detachment  was  becoming 
critical.  It  had  gained  and  was  holding  the  position  to  which  it 
had  been  ordered.  Still  no  advance  was  made  on  the  right.  The 
rebels  concentrated  all  their  force  in  front  and,  under  cover  of  the 
adjoining  wood,  had  thrown  a  regiment  upon  the  left  flank  of  the 
detachment,  which  opened  a  terrible  fire  along  the  line.  The  men 
of  the  9th  Maine  broke  from  the  line;  a  few  others  followed,  them 
but  were  rallied  immediately;  the  remainder  stood  manfully  to 


302  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June, 

their  work.  The  169th  N.  Y.  closed  up  the  gap  left  by  the  9th 
Maine.  The  line  then  advanced  to  a  better  position,  from  which  a 
steady  and  determined  fire  was  opened  upon  the  force  assailing  the 
flank,  obliging  it  to  seek  the  shelter  of  the  earthworks.  This  posi 
tion  was  maintained  until  7  P.  M.,  when  Capt.  Mendenhall's  force 
was  relieved  by  a  larger  one.  Five  officers  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  97th  P.  V.  lost  three 
killed  and  nineteen  wounded.  Sergt.  John  A.  Russell  and  Privates 
Hezekiah  Andy,  Company  H,  and  William  De  Faux,  Company  G, 
were  killed.  Privates  Charles  S.  Cloud,  Company  D,  and  William  T. 
Lovell,  Company  H,  being  mortally  wounded,  died  within  a  short 
time  after  reaching  the  hospital.  A  detail,  under  Lieut.  Levi  L. 
March,  Company  K,  carried  the  dead  and  the  wounded  from  the 
field,  while  Capt.  Mendenhall  held  the  position.  During  the  ensuing 
night,  the  enemy  kept  up  an  incessant  firing.  The  mortar  batteries 
of  both  sides  were  used  with  great  effect  and  many  casualties  oc 
curred.  The  position  thus  gained  was  held  by  our  forces  and  was 
regarded  of  considerable  importance.  A  sap  was  run  along  the 
slope,  covering  the  rebel  lines  in  our  front,  causing  the  enemy  much 
annoyance. 

Col.  Barton,  for  reasons  in  which  he  was  subsequently  sustained, 
decided  not  to  make  the  attack  as  contemplated.  The  loss  and 
jeopardy  to  the  detachment,  therefore,  except  so  far  as  the  advan 
tage  of  the  position  gained,  became  a  needless  sacrifice. 

Private  John  T.  Con  way,  Company  E,  captured  May  20,  1864, 
died,  June  30,  in  the  rebel  prison  pen  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

The  casualties,  after  returning  to  the  Petersburg  front,  on  June  24, 
in  addition  to  the  loss  in  the  assault  of  June  30,  were  six  killed  and 
eight  wounded,  a  total  of  thirty-six.  Among  the  wounded  was 
Principal  Musician  James  J.  Wilson,  recently  promoted  from  Com 
pany  C.  He  became  footsore  on  the  night  march  of  June  23,  and 
fell  behind.  The  provost  guard,  gathering  up  the  stragglers,  com 
pelled  him  to  go  upon  duty  with  these  in  the  front  line,  where  he 
was  severely  wounded,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  and  remained  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
service,  unable  to  rejoin  his  regiment.  In  this  instance,  the  orders 
of  the  guard  were  executed  with  undue  and  arbitrary  severity  upon 
as  brave  and  faithful  a  soldier  as  there  was  in  the  ranks  of  any 
regiment  in  the  service.  He  had  never  shrunk  from  any  duty !  On 
the  contrary,  in  every  instance  in  which  his  company  or  regiment 


1864.] 


OPERATIONS   AGAINST    PETERSBURG. 


303 


was  engaged,  though  excused  as  a  musician  from  bearing  arms,  he 
always  sought,  of  his  commanding  officer,  permission  to  take  a 
musket  and  go  to  the  front. 

The  work  of  strengthening  and  rendering  secure  the  lines  was 
constantly  going  on.  The  earthworks  were  models  of  construction, 
the  result  of  the  untiring  industry  of  the  men.  Strong  and  impas 
sable  abattis  covered  the  front  along  almost  its  entire  extent,  the 
tops  and  branches  of  trees  being  firmly  planted  in  the  ground  and 
so  interlocked  as  to  form  a  perfect  defence  against  a  charge. 


EARTHWORKS   AND    ABATTIS. 


1st  Lieut.  G.  ().  Yarnall,  Company  G,  was  detailed,  about  July 
1,  as  acting  ordnance  officer  of  the  artillery  brigade  of  the  l()th 
Corps  and  was  stationed  at  Point  of  Rocks.  He  continued  upon 
this  duty  until  mustered  out  of  service  in  October  following. 

A  convalescent  camp  was  established  about  half  a  mile  east  of 
Petersburg  Heights,  to  which  the  men  of  the  division,  who  were 
slightly  wounded,  sick  or  otherwise  temporarily  unfit  for  duty,  were 
sent  for  treatment.  Three  hundred  was  the  average  number  re 
ceived.  1st  Lieut.  George  W.  Duffee,  of  Company  I,  was  placed 
in  command  of  this  camp,  retaining  it  until  the  division  was 
ordered  to  Bermuda  Hundred  in  August. 

About  the  middle  of  July,  commissions  were  received  for  the  fol 
lowing  officers,  viz.:  2d  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne,  Company  D,  to  be 
1st  lieutenant,  vice  Fawkes,  killed;  1st  Sergt.  Charles  H.  Hannurn, 
same  company,  to  be  2d  lieutenant,  vice  Odiorne,  promoted;  2d 


304  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [Jul7i 

Lieut.  Levi  L.  March,  Company  K,  to  be  1st  lieutenant,  vice 
Black,  promoted.  All  of  these  were  immediately  mustered,  except 
ing  Hannum,  who  declined  promotion,  desiring  to  be  mustered  out  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term.  Promotion  was  then  offered  to  Sergt. 
Isaac  B.  Taylor,  who  accepted  and  was  mustered.  A  commission 
for  1st  Sergt.  William  S.  Underwood,  Company  K,  as  2d  lieute 
nant,  had  been  sent  for  at  the  same  time,  but  it  had  miscarried  and 
was  not  received  for  several  months. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  8th,  the  enemy  made  a  charge  on  the 
right  of  our  line,  advancing  about  one  hundred  yards.  An  effective 
fire  being  opened  on  them,  they  retired  without  effecting  their  pur 
pose.  Heavy  firing  continued  along  the  entire  line  for  over  an  hour. 

Lieut.  William  H.  Eves,  while  on  duty  at  the  front,  on  the  night 
of  the  10th,  with  his  pioneer  corps,  was  slightly  wounded  in  the 
right  knee,  but  he  remained  at  the  front  and  completed  the  work 
upon  which  he  was  engaged. 

About  July  15,  Lieut.  Col.  (since  brevet  brigadier  general)  Wil 
liam  L.  James,  chief  quarter-master  of  Gen.  Butler's  staff,  accom 
panied  by  his  father,  Hickman  James,  Eber  D.  Haines,  Jesse  J. 
Bailey  and  Jackson  Sergeant,  all  of  West  Chester,  spent  the  day 
at  the  front  with  their  friends,  by  whom  they  were  cordially  wel 
comed.  After  partaking  of  camp  fare  at  head-quarters,  they  visited, 
the  front  line  of  pickets.  Hickman  James,  desiring  a  still  nearer 
view  and  the  chance  of  a  shot,  crawled  forward  into  one  of  the 
gopher  holes  and  drew  a  bead  on  an  unfortunate  enemy  of  his 
country  and  came  back  quite  satisfied.  Our  friends  were  pressingly 
invited  to  spend  the  night  at  the  front.  A  grand  display  of  shell 
and  other  fireworks  was  promised  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  with 
assurances  of  safety  under  the  bombproof  shelter;  but  somehow  the 
fireworks  did  not  seem  to  be  sufficiently  attractive,  and  they  left  us 
toward  evening. 

In  searching  for  the  Regiment,  in  the  morning,  Lieut.  Col.  James 
reached  an  open  space  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  was 
observed  standing  at  a  spot  of  great  danger  looking  toward  the 
front  lines,  when  a  call  apprised  him  of  his  peril.  He  did  not 
back  out,  but  came  right  on,  having  recognized  the  voice.  The 
others  reached  the  lines  by  a  more  safe  route. 

About  the  same  time,  Maj.  Emmor  B.  Cope,  formerly  of  Company 
A,  1st  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  recently  promoted,  and 
then  an  aid-de-camp  upon  the  staff  of  Maj.  Gen.  Warren,  com- 


1804  J  VISITORS   FROM  WEST   CHESTER.  305 

manding  the  5th  Corps,  which  occupied  the  trendies  upon  the  left 
of  Gen.  Burnside's  position,  visited  the  Regiment,  accompanied  by 
Dr.  J.  K.  Warren,  of  West  Chester,  a  cousin  of  Gen.  Warren,  and 
Capt.  Paul  F.  Whitehead,  Company  I,  68th  P.  V.  (Scott  Legion), 
on  duty  at  head-quarters  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  They  were 
warmly  welcomed  by  many  friends  in  the  97th  P.  V. 

Capt.  (since  lieutenant  colonel)  Hufty,  9th  N.  J.,  18th  Corps,  and 
formerly  of  the  9th  P.  V.,  in  the  three  months'  service,  came  fre 
quently  to  visit  many  of  his  old  friends  in  the  Regiment. 

A  thirteen-inch  mortar  had  been  placed  in  position,  by  the  18th 
Corps,  which,  on  the  18th,  opened  on  the  enemy's  works  with  great 
effect. 

Firing  continued  on  the  19th  on  both  sides.  The  thirteen-inch 
mortar  threw  its  immense  shell  across  the  river  upon  the  enemy's 
batteries  and  into  Petersburg.  It  was  reported  that  one  thirteen- 
inch  shell  had  exploded  a  caisson  of  the  enemy  and  burned  the 
Weldon  Railroad  depot  in  the  city.  There  were  many  casualties 
on  both  sides.  The  continuous  roar  of  artillery  was  terrific. 

On  the  21st,  the  batteries  were  again  engaged,  followed  by  severe 
musketry  firing  along  the  line. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st,  Lieut.  Isaac  J.  Burton  was  wounded, 
in  the  right  hand,  as  he  was  placing  a  gabion  in  position  in  the 
sap;  though  exceedingly  painful,  he  remained  upon  duty  at  the 
front  until  the  detail  was  relieved. 

Gen.  E.  O.  C.  Ord  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  18th 
Corps,  on  July  22,  relieving  Gen.  John  H.  Martindale. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Gen.  Brooks,  July  15,  Gen.  A.  H. 
Terry  was  temporarily  placed  in  command.  Maj.  Gen.  David  B. 
Birney,  commanding  the  3d  division  of  the  2d  Corps,  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  10th  Corps  on  July  22,  1864. 

About  July  27,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  transferred  from  the  3d  bri 
gade,  2d  division,  to  the  2d  brigade,  same  division,  exchanging 
position  with  the  115th  N.  Y.  It  constituted  a  part  of  that  divi 
sion  during  the  remainder  of  the  war.  The  brigade  consisted  of 
the  47th  and  48th  N.  Y.,  the  76th  and  97th  P.  V.,  and  was 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  William  B.  Coan,  48th  N.  Y.,  during 
the  temporary  absence  of  Col.  William  B.  Barton,  48th  N  Y. 

Rev.  David  W.  Moore,  pastor  of  the    Presbyterian  Church   at 
Centreville,  Delaware,  having  received  the  appointment  of  chaplain, 
joined  the  Regiment,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  on  July  16,  1864. 
20 


306  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [3u]y, 

The  enemy  were  shelling  our  lines  most  vigorously.  To  one  not 
accustomed  to  such  close  proximity  to  the  front,  this  was  an  expe 
rience  both  novel  and  startling,  calculated  to  test  the  nerves  of  the 
bravest  men.  The  day  after  his  arrival,  being  Sunday,  Col.  Bell, 
commanding  brigade,  requested  Chaplain  Moore  to  hold  service  at 
brigade  head-quarters,  in  the  second  line  of  works.  This  had  just 
commenced  when,  in  the  midst  of  the  prayer,  a  shell  exploded  over 
head,  sending  its  fragments  crashing  down  among  the  worshipers- 
It  was  a  severe  ordeal  for  the  chaplain;  yet  he  scarcely  quailed, 
while  some  of  the  old  soldiers  could  not  help  instinctively  crawling 
for  cover.  Several  pieces  of  the  shell  struck  quite  close  to  the  con 
gregation;  one  piece  struck  and  slightly  wounded  one  of  the  staff 
officers.  The  chaplain  continued  the  service  with  firmness  and 
fervor  to  the  end.  Rarely,  perhaps,  has  any  one  officiated  in  an 
inaugural  service  deserving  so  well  the  appellation  of  the  "baptism 
of  fire."  From  that  time  forward  he  was  regarded  as  the  plucky 
chaplain.  He  soon  became  much  interested  in  the  members  of  the 
Regiment,  and,  by  his  faithfulness  and  kindly  care  for  his  charge, 
won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  both  officers  and  men. 

About  8  P.  M.,  on  the  29th,  the  2d  division,  10th  Corps,  was  re 
lieved  from  duty  in  the  intrenchments  by  a  part  of  the  18th  Corps, 
and  was  ordered  to  join  the  forces  preparing  for  an  assault  upon 
the  enemy's  works,  at  Gen.  Burnside's  position,  on  the  3()th,  when 
the  mine  explosion  was  to  take  place.  A  brief  account  of  this  en 
terprise  is  obtained  from  the  report  of  Lieut.  Col.  Fleasants,  48th 
P.  V.,  who  conceived  and  executed  the  idea  of  mining  and  blowing 
up  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  the  men  of  his  regiment  being  mostly 
coal  miners  and  well  adapted  to  the  work.  He  says: 

"The  gallery  was  commenced  at  12  M.,  June  25,  1864,  without  tools,  lumber 
or  any  of  the  material  requisite  for  such  work.  The  mining  picks  were  made 
of  those  used  by  our  pioneers.  Plank  was  obtained  by  tearing  down  a  rebel 
bridge,  and  afterward  by  sending  to  a  sawmill  five  or  six  miles  distant.  The 
material  excavated  was  carried  out  on  hand-barrows  constructed  of  cracker 
boxes.  The  work  progressed  rapidly  until  the  2d  of  July,  when  it  reached 
extremely  bad  ground — the  timbers  gave  away,  and  the  roof  and  floor  of  the  gal 
lery  nearly  met — retirabered  it  and  started  again — from  this  point  had  to  exca 
vate  a  stratum  of  marl,  whose  consistency  was  like  putty  and  which  caused  our 
progress  to  be  necessarily  slow.  To  avoid  this,  an  inclined  plane  was  started, 
and  in  one  hundred  feet  rose  about  thirteen  and  a  half  feet  perpendicular. 

"On  July  17,  the  main  gallery  was  completed,  being  five  hundred  and  one 
and  eight-tenths  feet  in  length.  The  enemy  having  obtained  information  of  the 


1861.] 


ACTION    AT   PETERSBURG    MINE,  VA. 


307 


OUTUNK    OF   THE    CHATEU   AND    MAGAZINES. 


mine,  commenced  searching  for  it.     Orders  were  issued  to  stop  operations,  which 
were,  however,  recommenced  on  the  following  day,  by  starting  the  left  lateral 
gallery.      At  6  P.,  M.   on 
the  same  day,  commenced 
the    right  lateral   gallery. 
As  the  enemy  could  plainly 
be  heard  working  over  us 
in    the    fort,    the    gallery 
was  excavated  a  little  be 
yond    and   in   the   rear  of 
their  works,  and  gave  to 
it  a  curved  line  of  direc 
tion.    The  left  lateral  gal 
lery  was  stopped  at  in  id- 
night,  July  22. 

"The  right  lateral  gallery,  being  thirty-eight  feet  long,  was  stopped  at  fi  P. 
M.,  July  23.  The  mine  could  have  been  ehnrged  and  exploded  at  this  time.  The 
men  were  employed  from  that  time  in  draining,  timbering  and  placing  eight  innga 
ztnes  in  position,  and  having  received  the  order  to  charge  the  mine,  on  July  27 
the  powder  was  commenced  to  be  placed  in  at  4  P.  M.,  and  finished  at  10  P.  M' 
The  tamping  was  then  begun,  and  completed  by  G  P.  M.  on  the  28th.  The 
charge  consisted  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  kegs  of  powder,  each  containing 
twenty-five  pounds — eight  thousand  pounds  in  all.  The  size  of  the  crater  formed 
by  the  explosion  was  at  least  two  hundred  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide,  and  twenty- 
five  feet  deep." 

The  '2d  division  marched  about  three  miles  to  the  left,  to  a  point 
near  Gen.  Burnside's  head-quarters,  where  it  bivouacked  in  a  field, 
where  a  large  force  was  concentrated  in  column  by  division  closed 
in  mass.  The  troops  lay  upon  their  arms  until  near  4  A.  M.,  when 
orders  were  passed  along  the  column  to  move  quietly  toward  the 
front.  Moving  through  a  wood,  passed  the  camps  of  large  numbers 
of  troops  preparing  to  move  forward.  Beyond  the  wood,  in  an  open 
space  in  rear  of  the  line  of  batteries  commanding  the  rebel  posi 
tion,  the  division  was  halted  and  closed  in  mass  in  regimental  front; 
then  lay  upon  their  arms,  awaiting  further  orders.  It  was  designed 
to  tire  the  mine  at  3.30  A.  M.,  at  which  time  the  match  was  ap 
plied,  but  the  expected  result  did  not  occur.  After  waiting  a  con 
siderable  time,  1st  Lieut.  Jacob  Douty,  Company  K,  48th  P.  V., 
and  Sergt.  Henry  Reese,  since  2d  lieutenant  of  same  company,  ven 
tured  into  he  gallery,  detected  and  removed  the  cause  of  failure. 

At  4.45  A.  M.,  the  match  was  reapplied  and  the  fuse  slowly 
burned  its  way  to  the  mine.  Suddenly  the  earth  seemed  to  tremble, 
then  a  heavy  shock,  followed  by  rumbling  like  distant  thunder,  a 


308  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

dense  mass  of  smoke  and  flying  fragments  arose  in  the  air,  envelop 
ing  the  rebel  position,  indicating  the  successful  explosion  of  the 
mine.  The  entire  work  was  demolished  and  the  ibrce  of  near 
twelve  hundred  men  buried  in  the  ruins.  The  storming  party,  a 
small  force,  advanced  from  its  position  beyond  the  lines  and  occupied 
the  demolished  works,  capturing  a  large  number  of  prisoners  from 
the  adjacent  lines,  and  many  half  buried  in  the  ruins  were  released 
from  their  peril  and  fright.  The  rebels  on  each  side  of  the  works 
hastily  left  their  places  in  fear  of  other  explosions.  The  advance, 
for  a  time,  met  no  opposition  from  the  rebel  force,  panic  stricken  at 
the  disaster. 

Gen.  Ledlie's  division  of  the  9th  Corps  entered  the  crater  im 
mediately  after  the  explosion,  and  was  expected  to  advance  rapidly 
upon  the  ridge  beyond ;  but  became  disorganized  at  the  fire,  which 
was  soon  opened  upon  them,  from  the  batteries  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  position,  and  from  a  battery  near  Cemetery  Hill. 

Another  division,  thrown  forward,  failed  to  get  much  beyond  the 
crater,  and  a  third  sent  forward  did  not  reach  the  crest  of  the  rebel 
batteries  at  Cemetery  Hill.  Instead  of  the  almost  uninterrupted 
occupation  of  a  large  portion  of  the  enemy's  line,  that  might  have 
immediately  followed  the  surprise  and  panic  into  which  the  enemy 
were  thrown,  our  advance,  an  hour  later,  met  a  most  stubborn  re 
sistance  and  final  defeat.  The  troops  advanced  for  a  short  distance, 
on  the  right  and  left  of  the  crater,  driving  the  rebels  into  their 
third  line  of  works  with  but  little  opposition;  but,  owing  to  a  want 
of  concerted  action,  the  enemy  was  not  pressed  vigorously  from 
their  position.  The  rebel  commanders,  perceiving  this,  made  a  de 
termined  stand  and  soon  commenced  to  drive  back  the  assaulting 
forces.  Meanwhile,  the  troops,  massed  in  the  rear  of  the  batteries, 
lay  awaiting  orders  to  move.  The  heavy  guns  along  the  entire  line 
had  opened  fire  immediately  after  the  explosion,  which  continued 
during  most  of  the  action. 

The  order  came  at  last  to  advance  these  forces  in  support  of  the 
assault;  but  the  distance  and  the  obstructions  to  the  march,  which 
was  by  the  flank  through  narrow  defiles  of  approaches,  under  the 
enemy's  fire,  by  which  the  ravine  was  enfiladed  right  and  left, 
caused  much  delay  before  the  troops  reached  a  position  from  which 
they  could  charge  upon  the  enemy's  lines.  Had  this  movement 
been  made  during  the  night — concentrating  the  entire  force  of  thirty 
thousand  men  halted  in  rear  of  the  batteries — at  the  point  from 


19C4-1  ACTION    AT   PETERSBURG   MINE,  VA.  309 

which  they  finally  charged  upon  the  enemy,  the  day's  record  would 
have  differed  widely  in  its  results. 

While  passing  the  defile,  Gen.  Grant  went  forward  along  the 
line  toward  the  crater.  It  was  the  first  opportunity  many  of  the 
men  had  of  seeing  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  army.  Having 
reached  the  rising  ground  toward  the  rebel  lines,  the  troops  were 
again  formed  in  regimental  front.  The  battle  was  now  raging  hotly 
and  our  men  falling  rapidly  under  the  fire  of  musketry  to  which  the 
position  was  exposed.  The  97th  P.  V.,  being  on  the  left  of  the  bri 
gade,  while  marching  by  the  flank  into  position,  had  six  companies, 
C,  H,  E,  K,  G  and  B,  detached  from  the  left,  without  the  know 
ledge  of  Maj.  Price,  who  was  leading  the  Regiment  into  position; 
an  aid  to  one  of  the  general  officers,  without  authority  from  either 
the  division  or  brigade  commanders,  detached  the  left,  by  directing 
Lieut.  Eachus,  Company  C,  to  take  another  direction  than  that  of 
following  the  right  of  the  Regiment,  and  sent  those  companies 
forward  to  charge  a  line  of  rebel  rifle  pits  on  the  right  flank  of  the 
advance.  This  was  successfully  accomplished ;  not,  however,  with 
out  considerable  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  several  of  the  color 
guard  being  killed,  placing  the  colors  of  the  Regiment  in  great 
danger  of  capture.  The  brigade  was  soon  ordered  to  advance 
across  a  meadow  on  the  right,  in  the  same  direction  as  that  taken 
by  the  left  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  and  to  occupy  the  wood  beyond. 

The  orders  Maj.  Price  received  from  Lieut.  Col,  Coan  were  to  ad 
vance  the  97th  P.  V.  to  a  point  indicated  on  the  right;  then  to  move 
to  the  right  as  far  as  possible.  Moving  by  the  flank  at  double  quick, 
exposed  to  a  brisk  fire,  the  Regiment  advanced  across  a  meadow,  fol 
lowing  the  bed  of  a  creek;  reached  the  wood  with  but  little  loss; 
formed  by  company  into  line  upon  the  run;  then  ascended  tl  e 
bank  on  the  top  of  which  was  a  line  of  rebel  rifle  pits,  from  which 
the  enemy  had  retired  to  a  second  line  a  few  yards  further  on.  From 
this  an  effective  fire  was  kept  up.  The  Regiment  then  moved  along 
the  ditch  until  reaching  a  point  beyond  which  an  enfilading  fire  of 
the  enemy,  occupying  the  prolongation  of  the  same  line,  prevented 
further  progress. 

Leaving  Capt.  Mendcnhall,  of  Company  I),  in  charge  of  that 
portion  of  the  Regiment  thus  posted,  Maj.  Price,  in  fulfillment  of 
orders  to  that  effect,  from  Lieut,  Col.  Coan,  proceeded  to  the  left  for 
the  purpose  of  finding  the  other  companies,  in  order  to  bring  them 
to  the  part  of  the  field  occupied  by  the  right  of  the  Regiment. 


310  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  the  rebels,  having  fully  rallied,  were 
beginning  to  drive  back  the  advanced  forces  and  to  regain  their  lost 
ground.  Maj.  Price  had  succeeded  in  finding  and  was  moving  the 
detached  companies  of  his  Regiment  to  the  right  to  rejoin  the  re 
mainder  of  his  command,  and  was  just  in  the  rear  of  two  brigades 
that  were  lying  against  the  slope  of  the  hill  in  column  by  regiment 
closed  in  mass,  when  the  sudden  movement  of  a  heavy  force  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  left  flank  of  this  force,  exposed  the  position  to  cap 
ture.  The  troops  came  rushing  down  the  hill,  breaking  through  the 
ranks  of  Maj.  Price's  men,  sweeping  all  in  confusion  across  the 
meadow  in  the  rear.  He  then  followed  in  order  to  rally  his  men, 
which  was  done  at  the  line  of  earthworks,  behind  which  the  line 
was  reformed.  Maj.  Price  then  received  orders,  from  Gen.  Turner, 
to  occupy  the  line  of  intrcnchments,  with  the  left  of  his  Regiment, 
until  further  orders.  It  remained  in  this  position  until  the  close  of 
the  engagement,  exposed  to  a  heavy  flank  fire  of  musketry  and  shell 
from  the  enemy's  works.  The  right  of  the  97th  P.  V.  continued  to 
hold  its  position,  repelling  successive  attempts  of  the  enemy  to 
charge  and  retake  that  portion  of  the  line;  by  this  means  affording 
protection  to  Brig.  Gen.  W.  F.  Bartlett's  brigade  of  the  1st  division 
of  the  9th  Corps  on  the  left,  the  position  of  the  97th  P.  V.  com 
manding  a  ravine  through  which  a  rebel  force  was  endeavoring  to 
reach  Gen.  Bartlett's  rear  and  cut  him  off  from  the  main  force. 

For  over  three  hours,  under  a  terrible  fire  of  artillery  and 
musketry,  with  the  intense  heat  of  the  July  sun  overhead,  those 
brave  men  shrunk  not  from  their  duty.  Their  position  was  perilous 
in  the  extreme,  isolated  from  the  main  force  by  the  meadow  swept 
by  the  rebel  fire,  and  separated  from  Gen.  Bartlett's  command  by 
the  ravine  which  the  rebel  fire  also  covered.  Their  ammunition 
almost  exhausted,  it  became  necessary  to  send  a  messenger  to  report 
their  situation.  Private  John  Uowling,  Company  D,  orderly  at 
regimental  head-quarters,  dispatched  upon  this  errand,  was  severely 
wounded  and  prevented  from  reporting.  Orders  were  subsequently 
sent  to  Capt.  Mendenhall  to  retire  to  the  intrenched  lines.  The 
men  could  only  retire  singly  under  whatever  cover  they  could  find. 
Several  were  killed  and  wounded,  among  the  latter  was  Capt.  Men 
denhall,  who  received  a  Minie  ball  through  the  left  arm,  near  the 
shoulder.  Having  reached  the  earthworks,  these  companies  took 
their  places  in  the  line  with  the  Regiment. 

Within  less  than  an  hour,  Gen.  Bartlett's  brigade  lost,  by  cap- 


ACTION    AT    PETERSBURG    MINE,  VA.  311 

tare,  nine  hundred  and  seventy-five,  officers  and  men,  including  the 
general  and  staff;  Col.  G.  G.  Marshall,  commander  of  a  brigade  in 
Brig.  Gen.  J.  II.  Ledlie's  1st  division,  9th  Corps,  was  also  captured 
at  the  same  time.  The  closing  in  of  the  enemy  upon  both  flanks, 
occurring  a  little  earlier,  would  have  included  the  right  wing  of  the 
97th  P.  V.  in  the  number  of  prisoners.  At  1  P.  M.,  the  troops 
were  withdrawn  from  the  field,  the  line  being  held  by  the  usual 
force. 

The  2d  division  of  the  10th  Corps,  which,  at  this  time,  numbered 
about  four  thousand  available  men,  entered  the  action  with  probably 
a  little  less  than  that  number,  sustained  a  loss  of  over  four  hundred. 

The  97th  P.  V.  was  not  relieved  until  2.30  P.  M.,  when  it  started 
upon  the  march  toward  its  former  position,  to  the  right  of  Cemetery 
Hill,  having  sustained  a  loss  in  this  action  of  ten  killed  and  twenty- 
eight  wounded,  as  follows:  Company  A,  one  killed;  Company  B,  ten 
wounded;  Company  C,  five  wounded;  Company  I),  three  wounded; 
Company  E,  one  killed,  three  wounded;  Company  F,  three  killed; 
Company  G,  two  killed,  three  wounded;  Company  H,  one  wounded; 
Company  I,  one  killed;  Company  K,  two  killed,  three  wounded. 

Capt.  William  S.  Mendenhall,  Company  D,  severely  wounded 
in  the  left  shoulder,  was  sent  to  the  field  hospital,  18th  Corps,  and 
from  there  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  remained  until  discharged 
the  service,  on  the  4th  of  October  following,  having  served  over 
three  years.  1st  Lieut.  Levi  L.  March,  severely  wounded  in  the 
right  arm  and  leg,  was  sent  to  the  field  hospital,  18th  Corps,  where 
his  arm  and  leg  were  amputated.  He  was  afterward  transferred  to 
the  Chesapeake  Hospital,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  where  he  died, 
on  the  night  of  August  13,  from  the  effects  of  his  severe  wounds. 
His  remains  were  sent  to  Norristown,  Pa.,  for  burial.  2d  Lieut. 
James  Me  Williams,  Company  E,  wounded  in  the  right  arm;  2d 
Lieut.  Jacob  G.  Lowry,  Company  B,  slightly  in  the  right  foot.  2d 
Lieut.  Thomas  Cosgriff,  Company  F,  was  prostrated  by  a  slight  sun 
stroke.  Corp.  John  T.  Taylor,  Company  A,  with  the  color  guard, 
was  instantly  killed  during  the  charge  of  the  left  wing  of  the  Regi 
ment  upon  the  rebel  rifle  pits.  His  body  could  not  be  brought  off 
the  field  as  the  enemy  soon  after  occupied  the  ground.  Private 
Joshua  Carey,  Company  F,  was  also  instantly  killed,  while  ad 
vancing  with  the  Regiment,  soon  after  leaving  the  covered  way. 
He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  had  passed  nearly  ten 
years  in  service  of  the  United  States. 


312  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

On  July  31,  the  2d  division  of  the  10th  Corps,  was  relieved  from 
duty  with  the  18th,  and  ordered  to  rejoin  the  10th  Corps,  north  of 
the  Appomattox.  The  97th  P.  V.  had  been  for  thirty-eight  days 
continuously  under  fire  before  Petersburg,  sustaining  casualties  that 
had  largely  diminished  its  numbers.  After  a  fatiguing  march  of  fif 
teen  miles,  during  which  many  of  the  men  were  overcome  by  the 
excessive  heat,  the  old  camp  ground,  at  Foster's  Place,  was  reached, 
where  tents  were  again  pitched  and  covered  with  boughs  of  pine  to 
shade  the  men  from  the  intense  heat. 

The  details  for  duty  were  now  much  reduced,  affording  the  men 
opportunity  to  rest  after  this  period  of  arduous  service. 

The  pickets  here  had  for  some  time,  by  mutual  consent,  avoided 
firing  upon  each  other — the  men  sitting  upon  or  reclining  against 
the  embankments  in  plain  view  of  each  other,  and  when  no  officer 
of  either  side  was  near,  interchanging  papers,  tobacco  and  friendly 
chat.  The  field  officers  of  the  day  passed  frequently  along  the  line 
in  view  of  the  enemy,  whose  lines  were  only  a  few  paces  off,  with 
out  molestation.  Officers  of  the  enemy  were  also  seen,  but  no  re 
cognition  or  sign  of  salutation  passed;  each  side  tacitly  accepted 
and  respected  the  truce  in  regard  to  firing. 

During  July,  in  addition  to  the  casualties  previously  reported  in 
the  action  of  July  30,  there  were  nine  killed  and  thirty-five  wounded, 
making  a  total,  during  the  advance  against  Petersburg,  from  June 
15  to  July  30,  of  thirty  killed  and  ninety-three  wounded,  an  aggre 
gate  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three,  officers  and  men. 

At  City  Point,  Va.,  about  August  1,  1864,  there  occurred  a  terrific 
explosion  of  a  large  amount  of  ammunition  which  was  being  un 
loaded  from  vessels  at  the  wharf.  A  large  number  of  men  were 
killed,  of  whose  remains  scarce  a  vestige  was  found;  some  were 
wounded  by  the  flying  fragments  and  destructive  missiles;  many 
men,  known  to  have  been  near,  were  missed  and  never  heard  of 
again;  every  vestige  of  the  vessels  disappeared,  and  many  buildings 
were  destroyed  and  others  injured.  The  report  and  shock  were 
very  distinct  at  the  camp  of  the  Regiment,  near  Foster's  Place, 
where  the  dense  smoke  and  flying  debris  were  plainly  visible. 

Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  was  commissioned  colonel  of  the  Regi 
ment,  by  Gov.  Curtin,  during  his  absence.  He  rejoined  the  Regi 
ment  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  August  12,  having  partially  recovered 
from  his  wounds  received  on  May  20;  but  still  somewhat  disabled 
in  the  use  of  his  right  arm.  He  resumed  command  of  the  Regiment 


18641 


OPERATIONS    NORTH    OF    THE    JAMES. 


313 


on  August  13.  He  had  been  mustered  as  lieutenant  colonel,  on 
August  12,  by  Capt.  T.  E.  Lord,  mustering  officer  of  the  division,  to 
rank  from  April  3,  1864.  That  officer,  however,  refused  to  muster 
him  upon  his  commission  as  colonel  on  account  of  the  reduced  num 
bers  of  the  Regiment.  Col.  Pennypacker  then  forwarded  an  ap 
plication,  through  the  department  head-quarters,  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  for  muster  as  colonel,  which  was  returned,  with  an  order  from 
the  Secretary  directing  it.  lie  was  duly  mustered  in  that  grade,  by 
Capt.  Lord,  on  August  15. 

After  the  muster  of  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  and  pending  his  ap 
plication  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Maj.  Price  applied  to  Capt.  Lord, 
for  muster  upon  his  commission  as  major,  and  was  then  informed 
that  it  was  a  question  of  muster-out  of  either  Col.  Pennypacker  or 
himself,  the  numbers  of  the  Regiment  being  reduced  below  the 
standard  that  would  entitle  it — under  any  construction  Capt.  Lord 
could  put  upon  his  orders — to  the  muster  of  more  than  one  field 
officer.  This  was  accepted  by  Maj.  Price  as  a  barrier  to  further  effort 
to  secure  his  muster.  lie  however,  continued  to  perform  the  duties 
of  major  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service. 

Early  in  August, 
Gen.  Butler  had  en 
tered  upon  the  con 
struction  of  the  noted 
Dutch  Gap  Canal, 
and  volunteer  details 
were  called  for  from 
each  regiment.  Se 
veral  of  the  97th  P. 
V.  were  of  the  num 
ber  engaged  in  that 
most  hazardous  ser 
vice.  The  work  was 
pushed  forward  rapidly,  protected  by  a  battery  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  James,  which  operated  upon  the  guns  of  the  enemy  which 
commanded  the  canal. 

On  August  13,  an  advance  having  been  determined  upon  to 
move  against  Richmond,  on  the  north  side  of  the  James  River,  the 
2d  and  10th  Corps,  and  the  cavalry  divisions  of  Kautz  and  McM. 
Gregg,  were  the  designated  forces. 

Gen.  Turner,  with  the  1st  brigade  of  his  division,  was  left  in  com- 


BATTERY    NEAR   DUTCH   GAP. 


314  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

mand,  at  Bermuda  Hundred.  Brig.  Gen.  William  Birney,  with  his 
brigade  of  colored  troops,  being  now  assigned  to  the  10th  Corps, 
the  2d  and  3d  brigades  of  Turner's  division  were  temporarily  de 
tached  with  Gen.  Birney's  brigade,  and  his  command  was  now  de 
signated  as  Birney's  provisional  division. 

Maj.  Price,  having  been  detailed  as  field  officer  of  the  day  for 
August  13,  was  engaged  upon  that  duty  when  the  order  for  a  move 
ment  north  of  the  James  was  received ;  he,  therefore,  remained  upon 
that  duty  when  the  Regiment  marched  with  the  10th  Corps. 
Before  he  could  rejoin  the  Regiment  he  was  taken  ill  and  was,  by 
direction  of  the  division  surgeon,  placed  on  board  the  hospital  boat  at 
Jones'  Landing  and  conveyed  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  for  treatment. 
He  was  there  admitted  to  the  Chesapeake  Hospital  and  remained 
under  treatment  lor  twenty-lour  days,  his  disease  being  an  attack  of 
malarial  fever. 


PONTOON    BRIDGE   AT    JONES1    LANDING,   NEAR    DEEP    BOTTOM. 

The  97th  P.  V.  had  struck  tents  at  dark,  on  August  13,  and 
marched  from  the  camp,  at  Foster's  Place,  crossed  the  James  River 
at  daylight  on  the  14th,  on  a  pontoon  bridge  at  Jones'  Landing, 
then  continued  toward  Deep  Bottom,  where  the  rebel  lines  were 
reached.  The  97th  P.  V.  was  immediately  ordered  to  prepare  for 
a  charge  upon  a  force  of  rebels  that  was  annoying  the  transports  on 
the  river.  The  enemy  retiring,  however,  the  order  to  charge  was 
countermanded. 


1864.] 


ACTION    AT    STRAWBERRY    PLAINS,  VA. 


315 


Hancock's  2d  Corps  was  pushed  out  to  the  right,  in  order  to  Hank 
the  enemy's  position  across  Bailey's  Creek,  while  Birney's  l()th 
Corps  assaulted  the  enemy  at  New  Market,  capturing  their  lines  of 
rifle  trenches,  with  six  field  pieces,  four  stand  of  colors  and  several 
hundred  prisoners.  Hancock's  advance  was  not  so  successful,  owing 
to  Barlow's  division  delivering  his  assault  upon  the  flank  and  rear, 
by  a  single  brigade;  and  the  extreme  heat  had  so  prostrated  his  men 
as  to  diminish  their  usual  dash  and  success.  Many  were  prostrated 
by  sunstroke,  nearly  two  hundred  being  carried  to  the  rear  from  ex 
haustion,  the  casualties  of  the  day  being  about  one  thousand. 

About  11  P.  M.,  Col.  Pennypacker,  commanding  the  centre  of 
the  brigade,  the  76th  and  97th  P.  V.,  was  ordered  to  move  forward 
his  force  to  gain  a  position  near  the  rebel  lines,  sheltered  from  their 
fire  by  the  crest  of  a  hill.  The  movement  was  made  on  the  double 
quick,  reaching  cover,  just  outside  the  enemy's  trenches,  without 
drawing  their  fire.  This  advance  was  intended  to  secure  a  support 
fora  movement  to  be  made  early  the  next  morning,  the  15th,  by 
the  *2d  Corps,  which  was  successfully  accomplished,  capturing  a 
battery  of  six  mortars  and  three  guns.  After  the  assault  by  the 
2d  Corps,  the  10th  Corps  occupied  Gen.  Hancock's  former  position, 
in  a  copse  of  pine.  During  the  night,  the  enemy  threw  shot  and 
shell  without  intermission.  Gregg's  Cavalry  extended  the  right 
to  the  Charles  City  Road.  A  brigade  of  the  2d  Corps  connected 
the  cavalry  with  Gen.  W.  Birney's  provisional  division.  Terry's 
division  was  on  the  left  and  Barlow's  on  the  refused  flank. 


BATTLE  FIELD  OF  MALVERN  HILL,  VA. 


At  daylight  on  August  16,  the  2d  and  10th  Corps  advanced  on 
the  enemy's  works,  at  Strawberry  Plains,  called  by  some  Fussell's 
Mill,  near  Malvcrn  Hill  Road,  and  in  view  of  the  battle  field 


316  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

of  Malvcrn  Hill.  After  a  determined  resistance,  the  rebels  were 
driven  from  their  position  about  9  A.  M.  The  main  force  followed 
the  enemy,  leaving  Birney's  provisional  division  to  hold  the  works 
Gen.  Terry's  division  had  captured,  with  over  two  hundred  prisoners, 
early  in  the  action. 

Meanwhile,  Gregg's  Cavalry,  supported  by  Miles'  brigade  (in 
fantry)  of  the  2d  Corps,  advanced  on  the  Charles  City  Road,  driving 
the  enemy  before  him  with  considerable  loss  on  their  part,  Gen. 
Chambliss  being  among  the  killed. 

Toward  noon,  the  enemy,  largely  reinforced,  advanced  on  the  right 
and  left,  flanking  our  forces,  compelling  a  return  to  the  strongly 
intrenched  lines  with  severe  loss.  To  avoid  being  cut  off  and  cap 
tured,  by  flanking  forces  of  the  enemy,  required  the  wary  corps  and 
division  commanders  to  be  active  and  alert  with  prompt  vigilance. 

The  position  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  with  Birney's  provisional  division, 
was  one  of  critical  peril.  The  first  intimation  received  of  the  re 
tiring  of  the  main  force  was  the  sudden  appearance  of  a  large  body 
of  the  enemy  in  front  of  their  line  of  works,  extending  far  beyond 
each  flank,  and  advancing  rapidly  upon  them.  The  division  opened 
a  rapid  and  galling  fire,  and  bravely  maintained  its  position  until  the 
enemy,  in  overwhelming  numbers,  had  advanced  to  the  trenches  and 
planted  their  flags  beside  our  own  upon  the  line  of  works;  then  as 
their  flanks  began  to  sweep  around  to  envelope  the  position,  cap 
ture  or  retreat  became  inevitable.  Slowly  and  stubbornly  the  men 
retired,  fighting  from  tree  to  tree,  keeping  at  bay  their  pursuers. 
Many  were  captured,  some  killed,  and  many  wounded. 

Among  those  who  fell  was  the 
brave  and  steadfast  soldier,  Capt. 
Henry  W.  Carruthers,  Company 
C,  late  adjutant  of  the  Regiment, 
who  was  mortally  wounded,  about 
1  P.  M.,  by  a  Minie  ball  through 
the  spinal  column,  paralyzing  his 
lower  limbs.  He  was  borne  off 
the  field  by  his  sorrowing  com 
rades,  subsequently  conveyed  to 
the  hospital  boat  on  the  James 
CHESAPEAKE  HOSPITAL.  ^iver,  and  sent  to  the  Chesapeake 

Hospital  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  where  he  received  every  attention 
which  surgical  skill  could  devise,  but  without  avail;  after  suffering 


1804.]  ACTION    AT   STRAWBERRY   PLAINS,   VA.  317 

painfully  and  patiently  several  days,  entirely  sensible  and  resigned 
to  his  fate,  he  died  on  August  22.  A  braver  or  more  faithful  sol 
dier  never  served  his  country.  Young,  gifted  and  accomplished, 
he  was  beloved  and  lamented  as  a  brother,  companion  and  friend. 
His  remains  were  sent  to  West  Chester  and  buried,  on  August  27, 
in  the  Oakland  Cemetery,  with  due  military  honors  and  a  large  at 
tendance  of  citizens  and  friends. 

The  loss  to  the  entire  force  during  the  movement  was  about  five 
thousand.  The  loss  in  the  Regiment,  in  addition  to  Adjt.  Carruthers, 
was  nine  killed,  twelve  wounded  and  eighteen  captured,  as  follows: 
field  and  staff,  one  killed;  Company  A,  two  killed,  one  wounded, 
one  captured;  Company  B,  one  killed,  two  wounded,  five  captured; 
Company  C,  two  wounded;  Company  D,  one  killed,  three  wounded, 
one  captured;  Company  E,  two  captured;  Company  F,  four  killed, 
four  captured;  Company  G,  one  killed,  one  captured;  Company  H, 
one  wounded,  one  captured;  Company  I,  two  wounded;  Company 
K,  one  wounded,  three  captured.  Many  of  those  captured  were 
also  wounded.  Nine  of  the  eighteen  died,  either  in  rebel  prisons 
or  soon  after  their  return  home. 

Company  B,  commanded  by  1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles,  lost  eight 
men  of  twenty-two  engaged  in  the  action,  Lieut.  Skiles  being  the 

J 

last  man  to  get  back  to  the  lines.  Capt.  Samuel  V.  Black,  Com 
pany  K,  was  among  the  captured,  and  was  held  a  prisoner  about 
eight  months.  Upon  being  released,  in  April,  1865,  he  rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  Raleigh,  X.  C.,  resigned  and  was  honorably  discharged, 
May  4,  1865. 

1st  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne,  Company  D,  on  duty  upon  the  staff 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  S.  Foster  (commanding  2d  brigade,  1st  divi 
sion),  while  taking  an  order  to  Col.  Frank  Osborne,  24th  Mass, 
(commanding  one  of  the  brigades),  had  his  horse  shot  from  under 
him  during  the  action. 

Col.  Pennypacker,  in  a  letter  to  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  dated  Deep 
Bottom,  Va.,  August  18,  1864,  says  of  the  Regiment  in  this  action: 

"*  *  *  We  moved  in  about  an  hour  after  I  went  on  dutv  (upon  re 
suming  command  of  the  Regiment,  August  13),  and  have  been  marching,  skir 
mishing  and  fighting  ever  since.  We  went  into  the  fight,  near  Malvern  Hill,  on 
the  16th,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  and  came  out  with  eighty-one,  losing 
several  prisoners.  A  small  regiment,  isn't  it  ?  I  hnve  seldom  been  so  close  to 
the  enemy  before.  Our  corps  was  flanked  on  the  left  completely,  and  driven 
back.  Union  and  rebel  colors  waved  from  the  same  parapet.  The  flag  of  a 
Virginia  regiment  and  the  flag — tattered  and  torn — of  the  97th  P.  V.  were 


318  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

planted  not  six  feet  apart.  That  was  hot  work,  but  we  brought  the  flag  off  in 
safety.  It  shall  appear  at  the  Green  Tree  and  be  placed  in  your  hands,  when 
Company  C  goes  home,  with  God  helping  us  to  defend  it.  *  *  *  " 

A  West  Chester  paper,  referring  evidently  to  this  action,  is  thus 
quoted : 

THE  NINETY-SEVENTH. — A  correspondent  of  the  Evangelist  relates  the  fol 
lowing  as  having  occurred  in  the  gallant  Ninety-Seventh  Regiment.  These  are 
the  men  whom  some  of  our  citizens  would  deprive  of  the  elective  franchise  : 

"I  will  give  you  one  incident  illustrating  the  quality  of  our  soldiers.  I  was 
at  the  quarters  of  the  Ninety-Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment  after  one  of  the 
recent  battles.  I  noticed  a  group  of  soldiers  standing  around  a  tattered  and  torn 
battle  flag,  eyeing  it  with  a  peculiar  affection.  I  said  to  them: 

"  'Boys,  your  flag  looks  as  if  it  had  seen  service.' 

"One  of  them  proudly  replied: 

"  'Sir,  five  standard  bearers  were  shot  down  around  it,  yesterday,  but  they  did 
not  get  it  at  last.' 

"  'And  so  you'll  keep  your  flag,  will  you  ?' 

'"'We'll  hold  on  to  the  staff  though  the  tempest  tears  the  flag  from  it.' 

"  With  such  brave  defenders,  the  flag  of  Liberty  will  never  be  dishonored. 
The  tempest  may,  indeed,  tear  it  in  pieces  and  offer  its  shreds  to  the  God  of  the 
storm,  but  it  will  never  trail  in  the  dust  of  disgrace.  That  God  will  restore  it  to 
its  noble  defenders  with  its  stars  shining  more  brightly  after  the  tempest  sub 
sides,  and  it  shall  float  more  proudly  and  gloriously  than  ever — 

'"O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave.'" 

After  the  engagements  at  Deep  Bottom  and  Strawberry  Plains, 
August  15  and  16,  the  two  brigades  of  the  2d  division,  10th  Corps, 
still  with  Birney's  provisional  division,  were  found  to  be  badly  cut 
up  and  worn  out,  having  had  but  little  rest,  from  the  urgency  of  the 
service;  with  but  little  to  eat  and  without  opportunity  to  receive 
regular  rations.  The  division  was  ordered  to  the  rear,  and  en 
camped  at  the  position  previously  occupied  by  Gen.  Foster's  division 
of  the  10th  Corps,  in  the  valley  of  Deep  llun,  near  Jones'  Landing. 

The  condition  of  the  men  was  that  of  almost  utter  exhaustion. 
The  frequent  change  of  position  and  the  rapid  flank  movements,  re 
quired  of  them  during  this  arduous  period  of  service,  together  with 
the  intense  heat,  had  greatly  overtaxed  the  powers  of  .endurance  of 
the  best  troops  in  the  field.  The  division  had  hardly  arrived  at 
camp  when  a  brigade  was  detailed  for  picket.  It  was  beyond  the 
nature  of  men  to  justify  this  record  in  saying  the  order  was  cheer- 
fully  obeyed;  but  it  was  obeyed  with  less  of  complaint  than  could 
have  been  expected  of  men  who  had,  with  unflagging  persistence  and 
bravery,  assaulted  the  enemy  in  their  strongest  lines,  and  pressed 


1864.]  CONGRATULATORY    ORDER    BY   MAJ.  GEN.  D.  B.  BIRNEY.  319 

upon  their  front  with  ceaseless  vigilance,  by  night  and  by  day,  for 
three  days,  without  rest  and  with  only  such  food  as  was  carried  in 
their  haversacks.  The  brigade  was  relieved,  after  twenty-four  hours, 
by  other  brigades  of  the  division. 

Following  the  action,  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Gen.  D.  B.  Birney, 
commanding  the  10th  Corps,  issued  the  following  complimentary 
order  to  his  command: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  lOni  ARMY  CORPS,  FUSSELL'S  MILLS,  \'A., 

August  19,  1804. 
General  Orders. 

The  major  general  commanding:  congratulates  the  10th  Corps  upon  its  success. 
It  ha.s  on  each  occasion,  when  ordered,  broken  the  enemy's  strong  linns.  It  has 
captured,  during  this  short  campaign,  four  siege  guns,  protected  by  the  most 
formidable'  works,  six  colors  and  many  prisoners.  It  has  proved  itself  worthy 
of  its  old  Wagner  and  Sumter  renown. 

Much  fatigue,  patience  and  heroism  may  yet  be  demanded  of  it;  but  the 
major  general  commanding  is  confident  of  the  response. 

To  the  colored  troops  recently  added  to  us,  and  fighting  with  us,  the  major 
general  commanding  tenders  his  thanks  for  their  uniform  good  conduct  and 
soldierly  bearing.  They  have  set  a  good  example  to  our  veterans  by  the  entire 
absence  of  straggling  from  their  ranks  on  the  march. 

By  order  of  MAJ.  GEN   D.  B.  BIRNEY. 

[Signed]  EDWARD  W.  SMITH, 

Lieut.  Col.  and  A.  A.  G. 

On  August  20,  the  10th  Corps  returned  to  Bermuda  Hundred 
and  occupied  their  old  quarters.  The  duty  consisted  principally  of 
picket  and  fatigue. 

On  August  22,  about  thirty  men  of  Company  A,  whose  term  of 
service  expired  on  that  date,  were  mustered  out  of  service,  by  Capt. 
T.  Ellery  Lord,  3d  N.  Y.  Art'y,  mustering  officer  of  the  division. 
Before  starting  home,  they  were  addressed  by  Col.  Pennypacker. 
their  original  company  commander,  in  a  few  parting  words;  also  by 
Chaplain  Moore.  Upon  their  arrival  at  West  Chester,  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  27th,  in  accordance  with  previous  invitation  from  Col. 
H.  11.  Guss,  they  proceeded  to  his  hotel,  received  a  hearty  wel 
come  and  partook  of  an  excellent  repast,  as  did  also  those  of  other 
companies  subsequently  as  they  returned  home. 

On  the  morning  of  August  25,  while  the  10th  Corps  was  being 
relieved  from  picket  by  the  18th,  the  rebels  captured  a  portion  of  the 
picket  line,  near  Wier  Bottom  Church,  the  suddenness  and  force  of 
the  attack  proving  too  great  for  the  stubborn  and  determined  re 
sistance  with  which  it  was  met;  the  loss  on  both  sides  was  severe. 


320  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [August, 

In  the  evening,  the  2d  division  of  the  10th  Corps  recaptured  the 
line;  the  97th  P.  V.  being  the  first  to  charge  and  occupy  the  part 
of  the  line  in  its  front.  " The  action  was  short,  sharp  and  decisive" 
The  loss  in  the  97th  P.  V.  was  two  killed  and  three  wounded,  one 
of  each  of  the  following  companies :  A,  D,  E,  I  and  K. 

On  August  26,  the  10th  Corps  moved  to  the  Petersburg  front  and 
occupied  the  trenches  on  the  right,  from  the  Appomattox  to  a  point 
near  Cemetery  Hill,  the  9th  Corps  adjoining  on  the  left.  The  97th 
P.  V.  was  then  detailed  for  duty  in  the  front  line,  every  alternate 
twenty-four  hours,  returning  in  the  interval  to  camp,  near  Friend's 
house.  Details  for  intrenchment  work  were  also  made. 

On  the  29th,  a  mortar  shell  fell  in  the  trenches,  severely  wound 
ing  Privates  William  Agg  and  Henry  H.  Stiteler,  Company  C, 
one  of  Company  G,  and  several  others  slightly.  William  H.  Kelly, 
Company  D,  was  mortally  wounded  while  on  picket  from  concussion 
of  a  shell;  he  died  the  following  night  in  the  field  hospital. 

Within  a  few  days  after  returning  to  that  position,  the  brigade 
commander,  Col.  W.  B.  Barton,  48th  N.  Y.,  was  mustered  out  of 
service  upon  the  expiration  of  his  term.  The  command  of  the  2d 
brigade,  2d  division,  10th  Corps,  now  devolved  upon  Col.  G.  Penny- 
packer,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  as  the  ranking  officer.  Such,  however, 
was  the  confidence  in  his  ability  and  qualification  for  this  command, 
that  he  was,  on  October  15  following,  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F. 
Butler,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  James,  regularly  assigned  to 
the  permanent  command  of  the  brigade.  Subsequently,  Col.  John 
W.  Moore's  203d  P.  V.,  a  newly-organized  regiment,  was  added 
to  his  command,  making  it  the  largest  brigade  in  the  10th  Corps 
and  one  of  the  most  efficient  in  the  service. 

The  command  of  the  97th  P.  V.  at  that  time,  in  the  absence  of 
Maj.  Price,  on  account  of  illness,  since  August  15,  devolved  at  in 
tervals  upon  Capt.  Lewis,  Company  F,  Capt.  Hawkins,  Company 
I,  and  1st  Lieut.  John  Wainwright,  Company  F,  the  senior  1st 
lieutenant  of  the  Regiment. 

From  August  30,  1864,  to  September  14,  those  men  of  Company 
B  present  with  the  Regiment,  whose  terms  of  service  had  expired, 
were  mustered  out  by  Capt.  Lord:  Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  George  L. 
Taggert  and  Com.  Sergt.  Thomas  McKay,  being  also  mustered  out. 
Corp.  Leonard  Thomas,  Company  C,  was  appointed  quarter-master 
sergeant,  and  Sergt.  Dallas  Crow,  Company  B,  commissary  sergeant 
of  the  Regiment.  1st  Lieut.  Henry  Odiorne  was  now  relieved  from 


COLONEL   PENNYPACKER   COMMANDING    BRIGADE.  321 

duty  upon  Gen.  Foster's  staff,  1st  division,  and  was  detailed,  by  Gen. 
Birney,  commissary  of  subsistence  at  the  10th  Corps  Hospital.  1st 
Lieut.  John  McGrath  was  also  transferred  from  duty  in  post  quarter 
master's  department,  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  to  act  as  brigade  quarter 
master,  2d  brigade,  2d  division,  10th  Corps.  2d  Lieut.  AVilliam  H. 
Eves  was  assigned  temporarily  to  the  command  of  Company  E. 

On  September  1,  the  second  flag  of  the  Regiment  was  received. 
It  was  placed  by  Col.  Pennyparker  in  the  hands  of  Color  Bearer 
Thomas  Forsythe,  Company  E. 

At  this  time,  Gen.  J.  W.  Turner  was  prostrated  by  illness  and 
was  relieved  in  command  of  the  division  by  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  S. 
Foster. 

The  Regiment  was  paid  about  the  beginning  of  the  month,  by 
Maj.  O.  M.  Dorman,  for  four  months,  from  March  1  to  June  30. 

Ass't  Surgeon  William  C.  Morrison  was  at  this  time  temporarily 
assigned  to  the  4th  X.  H.  as  medical  officer,  and,  upon  being  re 
lieved,  in  October,  was  for  a  short  time  detached  upon  the  same 
duty  with  the  9th  Maine. 

On  September  11,  Maj.  Price,  having  nearly  recovered  from  his 
severe  illness,  returned  from  Chesapeake  Hospital  to  the  Regiment. 
He  did  not  resume  active  command,  but  remained  in  charge  of  the 
camp  and  head-quarters  of  the  Regiment  and  attended  to  the  pre 
paration  of  the  muster-out  rolls  for  his  late  company. 

One  man  of  Company  C  was  wounded  on  the  5th  and  one  of 
Company  B  on  the  llth. 

The  enemy  persisted  in  firing  on  the  pickets  at  all  hours,  until 
Gen.  Birney  determined  to  give  them  more  serious  employment. 
Accordingly,  at  10  A.  M.,  on  September  14,  his  batteries  opened  on 
their  works  along  the  entire  front  and  upon  the  city  of  Petersburg, 
literally  raining  shot  and  shell  upon  the  enemy  for  over  two  hours. 
The  firing,  so  rapid  and  incessant,  indicated  a  general  engagement, 
causing  commotion.  The  roads  and  rear  lines  were  thronged  with 
men  hurrying  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  such  terrific  cannonading. 
About  noon  the  fire  slackened;  by  4  P.  M.  it  had  ceased. 

On  same  day,  1st  Lieut.  J.  T.  Skilcs,  Company  B,  acting  adjutant, 
received  a  leave  of  absence,  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his  father. 
He  did  not  return  to  the  Regiment,  having  received  an  honorable 
discharge,  on  November  5,  on  account  of  expiration  of  term.  2d 
Lieut.  W.  H.  H.  Gibson,  Company  I,  was  detailed  acting  adjutant 
and  continued  to  fulfil  that  duty  about  a  month,  when  he  was  de- 
21 


322  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [September, 

tailed  as  acting  regimental    quarter-master,  in  which    capacity  he 
served  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

On  September  17,  twenty-eight  men  of  Company  C,  whose  term 
of  service  had  expired,  were  mustered  out  of  service,  at  Friend's 
house,  by  Capt.  T.  E.  Lord,  division  mustering  officer.  Hosp. 
Steward  John  Y.  McCarter,  Sergt.  Maj.  Samuel  W.  Hawley  and 
Fife  Maj.  James  J.  Wilson,  all  originally  members  of  Company  C, 
were  mustered  out  upon  the  expiration  of  their  term  with  the  men 
of  that  company.  Corp.  Madison  Lovett,  Company  A,  was  promoted 
to  hospital  steward;  Corp.  Cheyney  T.  Haines,  Company  G,  to  ser 
geant  major,  and  Musician  Milton  S.  Taylor,  Company  H,  to  fife 
major. 

Maj.  Price,  having  been  detailed,  in  Special  Order  No.  254, 
by  Maj.  Gen.  Butler,  to  proceed  to  Pennsylvania  to  secure  the  re 
quired  number  of  men  to  fill  the  Regiment,  accompanied  the  men 
of  his  old  company  on  their  return.  They  started  for  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  on  the  18th,  taking  with  them  the  tattered  remnant 
of  the  old  flag,  so  long  and  so  faithfully  borne  by  the  Regiment 
through  the  storm  and  peril  of  many  severe  contests.  They  were 
delayed  several  days  at  Fortress  Monroe,  awaiting  transportation. 
Upon  their  arrival  at  West  Chester,  the  flag  was  placed  in  charge 
of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  to  be  returned  to  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  his  absence  from  home,  the  detachment  was  entertained  at  his 
house  by  his  son,  Capt.  George  W.  Guss,  several  citizens  being  in 
vited  to  aid  in  giving  welcome  to  the  veterans. 

The  men  of  Company  D,  whose  terms  expired,  were  mustered 
out,  on  the  19th,  and  reached  home  soon  after  those  of  Company  C. 
The  officers  and  men  of  the  remaining  companies  of  the  Regi 
ment,  as  their  terms  expired,  were  mustered  out  and  returned  home. 
All  were  received  by  Col.  Guss  and  made  welcome  at  his  home. 

Henry  Kauffman,  Jr.,  2d  lieutenant  Company  C,  acting  regi 
mental  quarter-master,  was  mustered  out  on  September  22. 

The  10th  Corps  remained  in  the  trenches,  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
during  the  month  of  September,  performing  both  picket  and  fatigue 
duty,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy  continually,  the  service 
being  exceedingly  arduous,  critical  and  wearing  to  the  men. 

On  the  evening  of  September  28,  the  10th  and  18th  Corps  left 
the  Petersburg  front,  crossed  the  Appomattox  and  through  Bermuda 
Hundred,  crossed  the  James  River,  by  pontoon  bridge,  to  Deep 
Bottom;  having  moved  with  great  celerity  and  secrecy,  came  upon 


1804.]      FORT    HARRISON.       NEW    MARKET    HEIGHTS.       FOKT   G1LMER. 


CHAI'IN 


;T   DAUMNO 


the  enemy's  long  line 
of  intrenchmente,  just 
below  Chapin's  Bluff, 
at  daylight  on  the  29th. 
The  18th  Corps,  com- 
nianded  by  Maj.  Gen. 
E.  O.  C/Ord,  being 
on  the  left,  the  l()th 
Corps,  commanded  by 
Maj.  Gen.  D.  B.  Birney, 
in  the  centre,  while  the 

cavalry  of  Kautz  extended  to  the  right,  Gen.  Ord,  with  the  1st 
and  3d  divisions  of  his  corps,  was  directed,  by  Gen.  Butler,  to  as 
sault  the  enemy's  outpost  below  the  bluff,  known  as  Fort  Harrison. 
This  he  did  with  great  gallantry,  capturing  fifteen  guns,  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
enemy's  intrenchments.  These  very  formidable  works,  fully  equal 
to  any  around  Richmond,  were  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Gen.  Ord  was  among  the  wounded.  Brig.  Gen.  Godfrey  Weitzel 
succeeded  to  the  command.  Brig.  Gen.  Hiram  Burnham  was  killed. 
Fort  Harrison,  where  he  fell,  was  afterward  officially  designated,  by 
Gen.  Butler,  as  Fort  Burnham. 

Simultaneously  with  this  movement,  the  l()th  Corps  moved 
toward  Spring  Hill,  near  New  Market,  assailed  and  carried  the 
strong  earthworks,  with  double  line  of  abattis,  at  Xew  Market 
Heights,  the  enemy  losing  about  five  hundred  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners. 

Birney  then  advanced  upon  their  more;  strongly  fortified  works 
on  Laurel  Hill,  at  the  junction  of  the  Variana  and  New  Market 
Roads,  six  miles  from  Richmond.  This  position,  called,  by  the 
enemy,  Fort  Gilmer,  was  promptly  assaulted  but  proved  too  power 
ful  to  be  carried  by  Birney's  limited  force,  although  a  portion  of  his 
troops  reached  the  ditch.  At  night  he  withdrew,  having  suffered  a 
loss  of  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  men. 

During  this  action,  the  2d  division  of  the  10th  Corps  made  a 
terrific  charge  on  one  of  the  main  lines  of  the  enemy,  nearer  the 
city,  but  the  obstructions  were  so  great  as  to  prevent  an  entrance 
into  the  main  works.  The  loss  was  quite  heavy.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  led  his  brigade,  on  the  right  of  the  assaulting  column,  in 
the  charge.  The  97th  P.  V.,  on  the  right  of  his  brigade,  Lieut. 


324  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

Wainwright  in  command,  forced  their  way  through  a  mile  of  slash 
ing  and  over  a  small  stream;  the  ground  being  also  very  irregular. 
It  was  a  most  remarkable  assault.  The  men  were  unable  to  double 
quick,  owing  to  the  great  number  of  obstructions.  Two  divisions 
of  the  10th  Corps  were  engaged.  The  attack  was  unsuccessful, 
owing  to  the  superior  force  and  vastly  superior  position  of  the 
enemy.  The  loss  in  the  97th  P.  V.  was  one  killed,  ten  wounded 
and  two  missing.  One  of  the  captured  died  while  a  prisoner;  the 
other  never  rejoined  the  Regiment.  Four  of  the  wounded  were 
officers,  among  whom  was  Col.  Pennypacker,  who,  while  deploying 
his  brigade  previous  to  the  charge,  received  a  slight  but  very 
painful  wound  in  the  right  ancle  by  a  piece  of  shell.  His  spur  was 
knocked  off  and  his  horse  shot  under  him.  He,  however,  remained 
upon  the  field  and  led  his  brigade  throughout  the  action.  Lieut. 
Cosgriff,  Company  F,  and  Lieut.  Duffee,  Company  I,  were  also 
severely  wounded  in  the  charge.  The  latter  was  absent  in  hospital 
for  nearly  two  months. 

Several  officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment  were  complimented,  by 
name,  in  general  orders,  by  Maj.  Gen.  Butler,  for  good  conduct  on 
this  occasion  and  were  recommended  for  promotion.  After  falling 
back  a  short  distance,  the  10th  Corps  occupied  the  intrenchments, 
south  of  Fort  Gilmer,  from  which  they  had  previously  advanced, 
where  it  was  soon  afterward  joined  by  the  18th  Corps.  Kautz's 
Cavalry  also  encamped  with  this  force,  which  then  engaged  in 
strengthening  their  position.  These  works,  Fort  Harrison  and  New 
Market  Heights,  being  considered,  by  Gen.  Grant,  of  great  im 
portance  toward  jeopardizing  the  defences  of  Richmond,  it  was 
determined  to  hold  them.  This  was  faithfully  done  by  the  tried 
veterans  of  the  10th  and  18th  Corps,  although  the  rebels  made 
several  desperate  attempts  to  dislodge  them. 

On  October  1,  Gens.  Terry  and  Kautz  made  a  reconnoissance 
toward  Richmond,  with  a  well-selected  force  of  cavalry,  artillery 
and  infantry,  including  the  97th  P.  V.  This  force  penetrated  to 
within  two  miles  of  the  city,  meeting  with  but  slight  resistance, 
being  the  nearest  approach  made  to  Richmond  until  its  occupancy 
by  the  Union  forces,  under  Gen.  Weitzel,  the  ensuing  spring. 

Finding  their  Capital  thus  menaced,  the  enemy  determined  upon 
a  vigorous  effort  to  drive  our  forces  from  their  position  north  of  the 
James.  The  18th  Corps,  it  will  be  remembered,  occupied  the  left, 
intrenched  at  Fort  Harrison  and  extending  thence  to  the  river,  ten 


REPULSE   OF   THE    ENEMY    AT    CHARLES  CITY    ROAD.  325 

miles  from  Richmond;  the  l()th  Corps  holding  the  centre  and  right, 
extending  the  line  to  the  Charles  City  Road,  at  a  point  five  miles 
from  the  rebel  capital;  Kautz's  Cavalry  was  stationed  on  the  ex 
treme  right,  on  the  Darby  Town  Road. 

The  rebels  began  their  advance  at  dusk,  on  the  evening  of  Oc 
tober  G,  in  two  columns.  Field's  division,  consisting  of  four  bri 
gades  of  infantry  with  Geary's  Cavalry  Brigade,  moved  out  of  Rich 
mond,  on  the  York  River  Turnpike;  marched  all  night,  by  a  cir 
cuitous  route,  and  fell  upon  Kautz's  Cavalry  at  daylight  on  the  7th. 

Hoke's  division,  of  equal  strength  with  Field's,  also  moved  out 
from  the  line  of  works  beyond  the  right  of  our  infantry,  and  ad 
vanced  on  the  Central  Road.  From  prisoners  taken,  it  was  ascer 
tained  that  the  two  commands  were  to  meet  behind  Kautz's  picket 
line  and  cut  them  off;  fortunately,  Hoke  was  two  hours  behind  time. 
Kautz,  discovering  only  the  movements  of  Field's  column,  pitched 
into  it.  He  had  with  him  two  batteries  of  artillery — B,  of  the  1st 
U.  S.  and  the  5th  Wis.  Battery.  For  nearly  two  hours,  Field's 
column  was  held  in  check,  during  which  time  the  cavalry  made  some 
spirited  charges.  Finally,  Field  massed  his  infantry  for  a  charge. 
Kautz  dismounted  a  portion  of  his  men  to  meet  it;  but,  being 
greatly  outnumbered,  it  was  impossible  to  withstand  the  impetuous 
force  hurled  against  them. 

Hoke's  advance  was  then  perceived,  which  caused  a  complete  rout 
of  the  cavalry.  The  artillery  maintained  its  position  until  the 
rebels  were  within  forty  feet,  fighting  against  the  fearful  odds,  until 
their  ammunition  was  exhausted ;  then,  spiking  their  guns,  escaped 
with  their  horses.  A  single  regiment  of  mounted  men,  Col.  Sum- 
ner's  N.  Y.  Mounted  Rifles,  remained  upon  the  field  long  enough 
to  enable  Gen.  Birney  to  complete  his  preparations  to  meet  the 
enemy.  During  the  early  morning,  that  officer,  although  seriously 
ill,  was  busily  engaged  forming  his  troops  to  receive  the  onslaught 
of  the  enemy.  Having  left  his  bed,  against  the  remonstrance  of 
his  medical  advisers,  when  the  alarm  was  sounded  for  battle,  he 
was  in  the  saddle,  personally  attending  to  whatever  was  necessary 
for  a  successful  resistance  of  the  storm  at  hand. 

After  gaining  possession  of  Darby  Town  Road,  the  rebels  pushed 
on  toward  Gen.  Birney's  position,  where  his  well-trained  infantry 
awaited  the  advance  of  their  assailants  until  they  came  dashing 
upon  the  lines,  flushed  with  their  success  in  routing  the  cavalry. 
These  veterans  reserved  their  fire  until  the  enemy  was  within  short 


326  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

range,  when,  from  the  entire  line,  there  was  poured  into  their  ad 
vancing  ranks  a  sudden,  incessant  and  destructive  fire.  The  strong 
skirmish  line,  armed  with  Spencer  rifles,  lay  concealed  behind  a 
thicket  of  underbrush  until  the  enemy  were  close  upon  them;  then, 
suddenly  rising,  directed  a  continuous  stream  of  fire  against  their 
lines;  having  exhausted  their  ammunition,  they  gave  way  to  the 
rear,  uncovering  the  main  line  of  battle.  The  action  now  became 
intensely  hot.  The  air  was  filled  with  deadly  missiles,  the  con 
tinuous  roar  of  musketry  and  the  booming  of  heavy  guns. 

Four  batteries,  of  six  guns  each,  planted  on  the  left  of  Gen.  A. 
H.  Terry's  division  of  the  10th  Corps,  and  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Col.  R.  11.  Jackson,  chief  of  artillery,  did  effectual  service 

The  men  of  the  well-trained  10th  Corps  displayed  a  steadiness 
and  coolness  seldom  equalled  and  never  surpassed.  The  rebels  were 
most  determined  in  their  efforts,  but,  finding  that  they  could  not 
break  through  the  lines,  finally  gave  way,  retreating  in  confusion, 
having  lost  over  one  thousand  in  killed  and  wounded.  Our  loss  was 
but  little  over  one  hundred  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  from 
Abbott's  brigade  chiefly.  The  97th  P.  V.  had  only  one  wounded, 
James  Hayes,  Company  E. 

The  rout  of  the  enemy  was  complete.  Their  retreat  in  great  con 
fusion  was  closely  followed,  by  Gen.  Terry's  division  of  the  10th 
Corps,  until  they  had  reached  the  shelter  of  their  intrenched  lines, 
capturing  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners. 

A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Herald,  in  giving  an  account 
of  this  action,  thus  speaks  of  the  10th  Corps:  "October  7,  1864. 
Midnight,  before  Richmond.  It  is  a  source  of 

great  satisfaction  to  me  to  reflect  that  my  confident  assertions  of 
the  valor  of  the  l()th  Corps,  and  its  ability  to  repel  any  flank  attack 
the  rebels  might  attempt,  have  been  brought  to  a  test  and  fully 
sustained.  *  *  *" 

Gen.  Birney  remained  throughout  the  day  with  his  troops,  though 
during  the  afternoon  he  was  compelled  to  exchange  the  saddle  for 
the  more  comfortable  means  of  transit  in  an  ambulance.  He  was 
soon  after  obliged  to  accept  a  leave  of  absence  and  returned  to  his 
home  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  died,  on  October  18.  His  remains 
were  consigned,  with  military  honors,  to  Woodlands  Cemetery. 

Gen.  Birney  was  one  of  the  bravest,  most  faithful  and  con 
scientious  officers  of  the  national  army,  whose  qualities  and  worth 
will  be  cherished  with  tenacious  devotion  by  all  whose  fortune  it 


1864-1  DEATH    OF    MAJOR   GENERAL    D.  B.  BIRNEV.  3'27 

was  to  know  him  or  to  serve  under  his  command.     Upon  receiving 
notice  of  his  death,  Gen.  Butler  issued  the  following  orders: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  VIRGINIA  AND  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES,  IN  THE  FIELD,  October  21,  1864. 
General  Orders  No.  135. 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES! — With  deep  grief  from  the  heart  the 
sad  word  must  be  said — Major  General  David  B.  Birney  is  dead. 

But  yesterday  he  was  with  us — leading  you  to  victory.  If  the  choice  of  the 
manner  of  death  bad  been  his,  it  would  have  been  to  have  died  on  the  field  of 
battle  as  your  cheers  rang  in  his  ear.  But  the  All-Wise  "determineth  all  things 
well." 

General  Bircey  died  at  his  home,  in  Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday  last,  of  disease, 
contracted  on  the  field  in  the  line  of  his  duty. 

Surrounded  by  all  that  makes  life  desirable — a  happy  home — endeared  family 
relations — leaving  affluence  and  ease — as  a  volunteer  at  the  call  of  his  country — 
he  came  into  the  service  in  April,  1861.  Almost  every  battle  field  whereon  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  has  fought  has  witnessed  his  valor.  Rising  rapidly  in 
his  profession,  no  more  deserved  appointment  has  been  made  by  the  President 
than  General  Birney's  assignment  to  the  command  of  the  10th  Army  Corps. 
The  respect  and  love  of  the  soldiers  of  his  own  corps  have  been  shown  by  the 
manner  they  followed  him. 

The  patriot — the  hero — the  soldier.  By  no  death  has  the  country  sustained  a 
greater  loss. 

Although  not  bred  to  arms  he  has  shown  every  soldierly  quality  and  illustrated 
that  profession  of  his  love  and  choice. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  order — nor  will  the  woe  of  the  heart  of  the  officer 
giving  it — now  permit  him  to  write  General  Birney's  eulogy. 

Yet  even  amid  the  din  of  arras — and  upon  the  eve  of  battle,  it  is  fit  that  we, 
his  comrades,  should  pause  a  moment  to  draw  from  the  example  of  his  life  the 
lesson  it  teaches. 

To  him  the  word  duty — with  all  its  obligations  and  incentives — was  the  spur 
of  action.  He  had  no  enemies,  save  the  enemies  of  his  country — a  friend,  a 
brother  to  us  all — it  remains  to  us  to  see  to  it,  by  treading  the  path  of  duty  as 
he  has  done — that  the  great  object  for  which  he  has  struggled  with  us  and  laid 
down  his  life — shall  not  fail  and  his  death  be  profitless. 

Soldiers  of  the  10th  Army  Corps!  Your  particular  grief  at  the  loss  of  your 
brave  commander  has  the  sympathy  of  every  soldier  in  the  army.  It  will  be 
yours  to  show  your  respect  to  his  memory,  by  serving  your  country  in  the  future 
as  with  you  Birney  has  served  it  in  the  past. 

By  command  of  MAJOR  GENERAL  BUTLER. 

KD.  W.  SMITH,  Ass't  Adjt.  Gen. 

Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  succeeded  Gen.  Birney  in  the  command 
of  the  l()th  Corps,  which  continued  to  hold  the  position  thus  stub- 
bornly  maintained.  The  97th  P.  V.  was  stationed,  during  the  re 
mainder  of  October,  near  Chapin's  Farm. 


328  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

On  October  8,  Dr.  J.  B.  Wood,  of  Chester  County,  and  Col.  Wil 
liam  Cooper  Talley,  of  Delaware  County,  visited  the  97th  P.  V.  on 
official  duty  connected  with  the  State  and  Presidential  elections. 
They  had  been  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
accordance  with  the  act  of  Assembly,  to  receive  the  vote  of  the 
soldiers  from  the  district.  They  reported  to  Col.  Pennypacker, 
whose  guests  they  became,  and  with  whom  they  remained  until  after 
the  October  election  had  taken  place.  Dr.  Wood  wrote  thus  to  the 
West  Chester  Record  of  their  reception  and  entertainment:  "The 
men  received  us  with  great  cordiality,  and  I  recognized  many  fa 
miliar  faces,  and  was  the  honored  bearer  of  many  dispatches  from 
them  to  their  families.  The  hospitality  of  Col.  Pennypacker  (now 
acting  brigadier  general)  knew  no  bounds;  we  fared  sumptuously 
with  him  for  two  days." 

The  State  election,  on  the  llth,  was  very  quietly  conducted  in  the 
camp  of  the  Regiment.  The  vote  polled  by  the  Army  of  the  James 
was  small  in  consequence  of  the  men  not  having  tax  receipts;  nor 
had  county  tickets  been  provided — a  grave  omission  on  the  part  of 
the  friends  of  the  soldiers  at  home.  The  army  vote  was  largely  in 
favor  of  the  Administration,  being  about  six  to  one.  The  97th  P. 
V.  polled  one  hundred  and  twenty  votes,  of  which  eighty-six  were 
cast  for  the  Republican  ticket  and  thirty-four  for  the  Democratic. 

The  commissioners  revisited  the  Regiment,  in  November,  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  the  vote  for  President.  On  that  occasion,  the 
97th  P.  V.  polled  two  hundred  and  twenty  votes,  of  which  one  hun 
dred  and  eight  were  for  Lincoln  and  one  hundred  and  twelve  for 
McClellan.  Nearly  one  hundred  substitutes  and  drafted  men  had 
been  added  to  the  Regiment  since  the  previous  election,  which 
caused  this  disproportion  in  the  vote.  The  original  men  of  the 
Regiment  voted  for  Lincoln  almost  to  a  man ;  drafted  men  and  sub 
stitutes,  being  unwilling  soldiers,  were  more  favorably  disposed 
toward  the  Democratic  candidate. 

On  October  11,  1864,  Gen.  Butler  issued  a  congratulatory  order 
to  the  troops  of  his  command,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are 
taken : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  VIRGINIA  AND  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

ARMY  OP  THE  JAMES,  BEFORE  RICHMOND,  October  11,  18G4. 
Congratulatory  Order. 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES:  The  time  has  come  when  it  is  due 
to  you  that  some  word  should  be  said  of  your  deeds  !  In  accordance  with  the 
plan  committed  to  you,  by  the  lieutenant  general  commanding  the  armies — for 


1864.]  GENERAL   BUTLER'S   CONGRATULATORY   ORDER.  329 

the  first  time  of  the  wnr,  fully  taking  advantage  of  our  facilities  of  steam  trans 
portation — you  performed  a  march  without  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  war.  At 
sunset  cf  the  4th  of  May,  you  were  threatening  the  enemy's  capital,  from  West 
Point  and  the  White  House,  within  thirty  miles  of  its  eastern  side. 

Within  twenty-four  hours,  at  sunset,  on  the  5th  of  May,  by  a  march  of  a  hun 
dred  and  thirty  miles,  you  transported  thirty-fire  thousand  men,  their  baggage, 
supplies,  horses,  wagons  and  artillery,  within  fifteen  miles  of  the  south  side  of 
Richmond,  with  such  celerity  and  secrecy,  that  the  enemy  were  wholly  unpre 
pared  for  your  coming,  and  allowed  you,  without  opposition,  to  seize  the  strongest 
natural  position  of  the  continent — a  victory  all  the  more  valuable  because  blood 
less.  Seizing  the  enemy's  communications,  between  their  capital  and  the  south, 
you  held  them  until  the  26th  of  May.  *  *  * 

From  the  12th  to  the  Kith  of  May,  you  moved  on  the  enemy's  works,  around 
Fort  Darling,  holding  him  in  check  while  your  cavalry  cut  the  Danville  Road, 
cutting  his  first  line  of  works,  repulsing  with  great  slaughter  his  attack,  which 
was  intended  for  your  destruction.  Retiring  at  leisure  to  your  position,  you 
fortified  it,  repulsing  three  several  attacks  of  the  enemy,  until  you  have  made  it 
strong  enough  to  bold  itself.  Fortifying  Powhatan,  Wilson's  Wharf,  Fort  Poca- 
hontas,  you  secured  your  communications  and  have  practically  moved  Fortress 
Monroe,  as  a  base,  within  fifteen  miles  of  the  rebel  capital,  there  to  remain  until 
that  travels.  Re-embarking,  after  you  had  secured  your  position,  with  nearly 
your  whole  effective  strength,  under  Maj.  Gen.  William  F.  Smith,  you  again  ap 
peared  at  White  House,  forty-eight  hours  after  you  received  the  order  to  march, 
participating  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  where  the  number  and  character  of  your  gallant  dead,  attest  your 
bravery  and  courage.  Again  returning  in  advance  of  that  army,  on  the  15th  of 
June,  under  Gen.  William  F.  Smith,  the  18th  Corps  (to  which  the  2d  division  of 
the  10th  Corps  was  attached),  captured  the  right  of  the  line  of  defences  around 
Petersburg,  and  nine  pieces  of  artillery,  which  lines  you  have  since  held  for  three 
months. 

On  June  10,  a  portion  of  the  10th  Corps,  under  Brig.  Gen.  Alfred  H.  Terry, 
again  threw  itself  upon  the  enemy's  communications  between  Richmond  and 
Petersburg,  and  destroyed  miles  of  the  road,  holding  the  point  for  several  days. 

The  10th  Corps,  on  August  14,  passing  the  James  at  Deep  Bottom,  under  Maj. 
Gen.  David  B.  Birney,  by  a  series  of  brilliant  charges,  carried  the  enemy's  works 
near  Xew  Market,  and,  two  days  later,  another  line  of  works  at  Fussell's  Mills 
(Strawberry  Plains),  defended  by  the  best  troops  of  Lee's  army,  bringing  back 
four  guns  and  three  battle  flags  as  trophies  of  their  valor. 

Again  crossing  the  James,  on  September  29,  with  the  10th  and  18th  Corps, 
with  Celerity,  precision,  secrecy  and  promptness  of  movement  seldom  equalled, 
with  both  corps  in  perfect  co-operation,  you  assailed  and  carried,  at  the  same 
moment,  with  the  10th  Corps  and  the  3d  division  of  the  18th,  under  Gen.  Birney, 
the  enemy's  strong  works,  with  double  lines  of  abattis,  at  Spring  Hill  and  Xew 
Market,  while  the  remaining  division  of  the  18th  Corps,  under  Maj.  Gen.  E.  O. 
C.  Ord,  carried  by  assault,  Battery  Harrison,  capturing  twenty-five  pieces  of 
heavy  ordnance,  the  strongest  of  the  enemy's  works  around  Richmond.  The 
army 'thus  possessed  itself  of  the  outer  line  of  the  enemy's  works,  and  advanced 
to  the  very  gates  of  Richmond. 


330  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

So  vital  was  your  success  at  Battery  Hamilton  that,  on  October  1,  under  the 
eye  of  Gen.  Lee  himself — massing  his  best  troops,  the  enemy  made  most  deter 
mined  assaults  upon  your  lines  to  retake  it,  and  were  driven  back  with  loss  of 
seven  battle  flags  and  almost  the  annihilation  of  Clingman's  brigade. 

After  weeks  of  preparation,  massing  all  his  veteran  troops  on  your  right  flank, 
on  the  Tth  of  October,  the  enemy  drove  in  our  cavalry  with  the  loss  of  some 
pieces  of  horse  artillery;  but,  meeting  the  steady  troops  of  the  ICth  Corps,  were 
repulsed  with  slaughter,  losing  three  commanders  of  brigades,  killed  and 
wounded,  and  many  field  and  line  officers  and  men,  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

Such  is  the  glorious  record  of  the  Army  of  the  James!  Never  beaten  in 
battle — never  repulsed  in  assault  by  a  larger  portion  of  its  forces  than  a 
brigade.  *  *  * 

In  the  present  movement,  where  all  have  deserved  so  well,  it  is  almost  invidious 
to  use  names  ;  yet,  justice  requires  especially  gallant  acts  to  be  noticed.  *  * 

The  commanding  general  is  quite  conscious  that  in  his  endeavor  to  put  on 
record  the  gallant  deeds  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  James, 
he  has,  almost  of  necessity,  because  of  imperfection  of  reports,  omitted  many 
deserving  of  mention;  yet,  as  these  gallant  men  will,  on  other  occasions,  equally 
distinguish  themselves,  they  can  then  take  their  due  place  in  their  country's 
history.  *  *  * 

Tenth  Corps,  Second  Division,  Second  Brigade. — Col.  G.  Pennypacker,  97th 
P.  V,  commanding  2d  brigade,  2d  division,  10th  Corps,  for  his  zealous  and  un 
tiring  efforts  to  make  his  brigade  efficient,  and  for  the  manner  in  which  he  led 
it  in  action,  is  commended  by  his  corps  commander  and  recommended  to  the 
President  for  promotion  by  brevet. 

1st  Lieut.  John  Wainwright,  commanding  97th  P.  V.,  has  honorable  mention 
for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  he  conducted  the  Regiment  during  the  engage 
ment,  October  7. 

2d  Lieut,  William  H.  Eves,  Company  G,  97th  P.  V.,  behaved  with  especial 
gallantry  in  both  assaults,  and  is  recommended  for  promotion  to  his  Excellency 
the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Sergt.  William  H.  Martin,  Company  A,  97th  P.  V.,  commanded  his  company 
in  both  assaults,  and  led  his  men  with  bravery  and  admirable  order  in  the  assault 
of  September  29,  for  which  he  has  most  honorable  mention  and  is  recommended 
to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  for  promotion  to  1st  lieutenant. 

Corp.  David  S.  Harry,  Company  B,  97th  P.  V.,  is  mentioned  for  special 
gallantry  in  both  assaults,  on  the  29th  of  September.  He  is  appointed  2d  lieute 
nant  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

Private  William  McCarty,  Company  D,  97th  P.  V.,  is  honorably  mentioned 
for  special  gallantry,  bearing  his  colors  in  advance  of  his  regiment,  in  the  absence 
of  the  color  sergeant,  is  also  recommended  to  the  Secretary  of  War  for  a 
medal.  *  *  * 

By  command  of  MAJOR  GENERAL  BUTLER. 

[Signed]  ED.  W.  SMITH,  A.  A.  G. 

At  daybreak,  on  October  27,  Gen.  Butler  again  advanced  against 
the  defences  of  Richmond.  The  10th  Corps  moved  from  its  position 


1864-J  ACTION    AT    DARBY    TOWN,  VA.  331 

at  Chapin's  Farm  and,  taking  the  Darby  Town  Road,  extended 
their  lines  across  in  the  direction  of  Charles  City  Road. 

On  reaching  the  small  village  of  Darby  Town,  four  and  a  half 
miles  from  Richmond,  a  skirmish  line  was  thrown  forward  and  a 
sharp  encounter  with  the  enemy  took  place.  The  skirmishers 
easily  pushed  the  rebels  back,  but  at  length  came  upon  their 
earthworks  and  were  suddenly  cheeked  by  a  galling  fire. 

After  a  little  delay,  at  mid-day,  all  preparations  having  been  made, 
an  advance  along  the  whole  line  was  ordered.  The  men  dashed  upon 
the  foe,  driving  them  inside  their  intrenchments,  from  which,  how 
ever,  they  continued  to  keep  up  a  brisk  fire.  The  troops,  with 
great  determination,  gained  and  held  a  position  well  up  to  the 
enemy's  lines  and  maintained  a  persistent  fire  upon  their  works 
until  nightfall. 

Meanwhile,  the  18th  Corps,  operating  on  the  left  of  the  l()th, 
suffered  heavily,  principally  by  capture,  losing  a  large  portion 
of  the  two  advance  brigades,  the  rebels  having  laid  a  trap  into 
which  they  were  drawn.  After  this  disaster,  the  entire  movement 
being  only  a  feint  to  attract  the  enemy's  attention  while  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  was  fighting  at  Hatcher's  Run,  the  10th  Corps 
was  ordered  to  retire  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns  under  cover 
of  the  night. 

The  97th  P.  V.  was  commanded  by  Capt.  George  W.  Hawkins, 
Company  I  During  the  engagement,  it  was  temporarily  detached 
and  sent  to  support  the  1st  brigade,  commanded  by  Col.  N.  M. 
Curtis,  14%2d  X.  Y.  The  Regiment  distinguished  itself  anew  in  a 
brilliant  charge  upon  a  salient  of  the  enemy's  works,  in  order  to 
straighten  the  line  and  make  complete  connection  between  the  2d 
and  3d  divisions.  The  attack  was  successful.  An  officer  who  wit 
nessed  the  charge,  said  to  Col.  Pennypacker:  "That's  the  d st 

regiment  of  yours  to  fight  I  ever  saw.  It  seems  to  think  of  nothing 
else."  He  was  informed  that  this  was  the  result  of  its  early  train 
ing.  The  Regiment  lost  two  killed,  nine  wounded  and  one  taken  pri 
soner.  Capt.  Hawkins  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  leg.  He 
was  carried  to  the  field  hospital,  where,  early  on  the  following 
morning,  the  injured  limb  was  amputated.  He,  however,  died  soon 
after  from  prostration.  After  much  difficulty,  Lieut.  Jones,  quarter 
master  97th  P.  V.,  succeeded  in  forwarding  his  remains  to  his  father, 
in  Upper  Darby,  Del.  Co.  He  was  buried  in  Mount  Moriah  Ceme 
tery.  His  term  of  service  expired  and  he  was  to  have  been 


332  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [October, 

mustered  out  on  the  day  he  fell.  A  commission,  as  lieutenant 
colonel,  was  issued  by  Gov.  Curtin  and  forwarded  to  his  family  on 
the  day  after  the  information  of  his  death  reached  Harrisburg. 

Lieut.  Thomas  CosgrifF,  Company  F,  was  also  wounded  while  in 
command  of  his  company.  He  was  sent  to  the  U.  S.  Hospital,  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  from  which  he  was  discharged,  November  19,  his 
term  of  service  having  expired. 

After  Capt.  Hawkins  fell,  the  command  of  the  Regiment  again 
devolved  upon  Lieut.  Wainwright,  Company  F.  Being  at  the  time 
detached  from  his  brigade,  he  received  no  notice  to  retire  with  the 
other  troops,  and  was  left  upon  the  field,  with  the  Regiment,  during 
the  night,  unsupported  and  exposed  to  capture.  It,  however,  re 
mained  in  its  position  until  morning,  when  notice  was  sent  to  inform 
Lieut.  Wainwright  that  the  corps  had  returned  to  its  former  posi 
tion,  at  Chapin's  Farm,  on  the  evening  of  the  29th,  where  the  97th 
P.  V.  then  joined  it  and  reoccupied  its  former  camp. 

The  third  anniversary  of  the  organization  had  now  arrived.  The 
changes  that  occurred  during  the  year  are  here  noted:  seven  hun 
dred  and  six  officers  and  men  stood  upon  the  roster  to  be  ac 
counted  for  on  October  29,  1863;  since  that  time  one  officer  and 
eighteen  recruits  had  joined,  and  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  sub 
stitutes  were  assigned  to  the  Regiment,  making  a  total  of  one  thou 
sand  and  thirteen,  including  the  re-enlisted  veterans;  during  the 
year,  two  field  officers  resigned  and  one  staff  officer  was  discharged 
to  accept  promotion  in  another  regiment;  three  staff  officers  were 
discharged  by  reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  service;  two  others 
were  killed  or  died  of  wounds;  three  company  officers  resigned;  six 
others  were  discharged  on  expiration  of  term  of  service;  six  for 
wounds  or  other  disability;  four  were  killed  or  died  of  wounds, 
making  a  total  loss  of  twenty-seven  officers;  one  man  was  dis 
charged  to  accept  promotion;  one  discharged  by  order  of  the  War 
Department;  twenty-six  discharged  on  surgeon's  certificate,  many 
of  them  for  wounds  while  absent  in  hospitals;  two  hundred  and 
forty-one  men  were  mustered  out  of  service  on  account  of  expiration 
of  term ;  one  hundred  and  seven  men  were  killed  or  died  of  wounds ; 
thirty-four  died  of  disease,  mostly  absent  in  hospitals,  several  in 
rebel  prisons;  three  were  transferred  to  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps;  four 
wounded  men  were  transferred  to  the  16th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
one  of  whom  received  promotion;  nine  substitutes  (formerly  of  the 
rebe  army)  were  transferred  to  the  Department  of  the  Northwest 


1864-1          DISCHARGE   AND   MUSTER-OUT   OF   OFFICERS   AND    MEN.  333 

for  frontier  service;  seven  volunteers  and  seventy  substitutes  de 
serted;  four  were  recaptured,  three  of  whom  were  executed  for  de 
sertion;  total  loss  in  Regiment  during  the  third  year,  five  hundred 
and  thirty,  leaving  a  total  of  four  hundred  and  eighty-three  officers 
and  men  remaining  in  the  Regiment. 

From  May  to  November,  18G4,  the  loss  had  been  one  hundred 
and  thirteen  killed  or  died  of  wounds;  three  hundred  and  thirteen 
wounded  and  thirty-nine  captured,  an  aggregate  of  four  hundred 
and  sixty-five,  being  a  daily  average  loss  of  three  men. 

The  following  officers  were  discharged  during  the  month  for 
wounds:  Capt.  Francis  M.  Guss  and  2d  Lieut.  Isaac  J.  Burton,  Com- 
pany  A,  on  the  3d;  Capt,  William  S.  Mendenhall,  Company  I),  on 
the  4th;  all  at  Annapolis,  Md.  Capt.  Jonas  M.  C.  Savage,  Com 
pany  B,  on  the  22d,  at  Washington,  U.  C. 

The  following  were  mustered  out  during  the  month,  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  on  account  of  expiration  of  term:  Capt.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis, 
Company  F,  on  the  3d;  1st  Lieut.  Gasway  O.  Yarnall,  on  the  14th; 
Capt.  Caleb  Hoopes,  on  the  17th;  2d  Lieut.  William  II.  Eves,  on 
the  22d;  all  of  Company  G;  Regimental  Qr.  Mr.  David  Jones,  on 
the  31st. 

Capt.  Lewis  subsequently  received  brevet  promotion,  by  the  War 
Department,  as  major  and  lieutenant  colonel,  for  faithful  services. 
Qr.  Mr.  Jones  also  received  brevet  promotion,  from  the  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  as  captain  and  major. 

Several  other  officers,  whose  term  of  service  had  previously  ex 
pired,  were  mustered  out  at  Chapin's  Farm,  in  November. 

James  Me  Williams,  2d  lieutenant  Company  E,  on  the  3d,  and  1st 
Lieut.  John  McGrath,  same  company  (acting  commissary  of  sub 
sistence,  2d  brigade),  on  the  10th;  Surgeon  J.  R.  Everhart,  chief 
medical  officer  of  2d  brigade,  on  the  12th.  He  was  subsequently 
brevetted,  by  Gov.  Curtin,  as  lieutenant  colonel,  in  recognition  of 
his  faithful  services. 

The  original  officers  of  the  Regiment  had  now  all  been  discharged 
or  mustered  out  of  service  excepting  Col.  Pennypacker.  Of  the 
original  men,  only  the  re-enlisted  veterans  remained.  About  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  recruits  and  conscripts,  were  received  in  No 
vember,  at  Chapin's  Farm.  They  were  mostly  for  one  year's  service, 
forwarded  from  Philadelphia,  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  They 
were  a  much  better  class  of  men  than  the  substitutes  of  1863. 

Henry  Odiorne,  1st  lieutenant  Company  D,  acting  commissary  of 


334  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

subsistence,  at  the  corps   hospital,  returned  to  the    Regiment    for 
duty,  at  his  own  request,  on  the  15th. 

John  Wainwright,  1st  lieutenant  Company  F,  now  the  senior 
officer  of  the  Regiment,  had  been  in  command  as  ranking  officer  for 
several  weeks.  He  had  also  assumed  the  company  responsibility  of 
five  companies  which  had  been  left  without  a  commissioned  officer. 
It  had  been  his  desire  to  be  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  expira 
tion  of  his  term,  but  he  was  induced  to  continue  in  command  until 
an  accession  to  the  number  of  the  Regiment  should  entitle  it  to  the 
muster  of  an  additional  field  officer.  A  commission  as  captain,  to 
date  from  November  1,  was  received,  but  he  declined  to  be  mustered 
in  that  grade.  Subsequent  occurrences,  in  connection  with  the  bril 
liant  movements  in  which  the  Regiment  participated,  determined 
him  to  accept  the  promotion  that  then  presented. 

Most  of  the  companies  were,  at  this  time,  commanded  by  1st 
sergeants.  Commissions  for  the  following  worthy  non-commissioned 
officers  were  received  in  November,  viz.:  1st  Sergt.  William  H. 
Martin,  Company  A,  as  2d  lieutenant:  Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  Leonard  R. 
Thomas,  Company  C,  as  2d  lieutenant,  and  1st  Sergt.  Theodore  M. 
Smedley,  Company  H,  as  1st  lieutenant.  The  latter,  detailed  as 

acting  regimental  adjutant,  No 
vember  6,  remained  upon  that  duty 
until  wounded,  two  months  later. 

The  Regiment  remained  at  Cha- 
pin's  Farm,  during  November  and 
part  of  December,  performing  in- 
trenchment  and  picket  duty,  with 
out  material  incident  to  note.  The 
position  held  was  a  very  strong  one. 
The  camp  of  the  Regiment  was 
finely  situated  near  the  right  of  the 

OFFICERS1  QUARTERS,   CHAPIN  S    FARM.  .  .  ° 

line  occupied  by  the  division. 

Hon.  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War,  accompanied  by  Brig. 
Gens.  Montgomery  C.  Meigs,  chief  quarter-master;  Amos  B.  Eaton, 
chief  commissary,  and  Joseph  K.  Barnes,  surgeon  general,  visited 
the  armies  operating  against  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  about  this 
time,  to  inspect  the  condition  of  the  troops,  in  order  to  provide 
whatever  should  be  needed.  Orders  were  now  received  for  the 
troops  to  prepare  winter  quarters.  To  a  body  of  raw  recruits,  the 
order,  without  a  supply  of  material,  would  seem  vague  and  irre- 


1864.] 


PREPARATION    OF    WINTER    QUARTERS. 


levant,  in  an  enemy's  country  destitute  of  the  ordinary  supplies, 
but  to  the  veterans  the  order  implied  business,  material  or  no  ma 
terial.  A  correspondent,  after  alluding  to  the  dilemma  of  the  >v- 
cruit,  thus  describes  the  veteran's  efforts: 

"*  *         Not  so  the  veteran.     If  he  be  camped  in  the  pine  forest, 

give  him  an  old  axe,  a  bootleg,  a  mud-puddle,  a  board  or  two  and  a  handful  of 
nails,  and  he  builds  him  a  house — a  house,  too,  comfortable  and  commodious,  and 
not  wanting  in  architectural  beauty.  First,  he  fells  his  trees,  then  cuts  and 
notches  his  logs,  and  lays  them  together  to  the  required  height.  His  roof  he  puts 
on,  giving  it  a  great  slope  and  thatching  it  with  the  green  of  the  pine  tops.  He 
has  been  careful  to  leave  window  spaces,  and  tacking  pieces  of  shelter  tents 
over  these,  he  has  provided  light,  but  keeps  out  the  nipping  air  of  winter. 
Then,  with  his  board,  he  makes  his  door,  and  the  bootleg  supplying  the  hinges, 
it  soon  swings  in  its  place.  Then  he  fills  the  spaces  between  the  logs  with  soft 
earth  from  his  mud-puddle  and  his  house  is  done  except  the  chimney.  The  forest 
and  the  mud-puddle  soon  provide  that,  for  his  chimney  is  nothing  but  a  pile  of 
sticks  plentifully  plastered  within  and  without  with  mud.  Then,  with  his  old 
axe,  he  manufactures,  out  of  pine  logs,  a  full  assortment  of  furniture — bed 
steads,  chairs,  table,  wardrobe  and  generally  adds  a  mantel.  Lastly,  with  a  bright 
fire  upon  bis  hearth,  he  is  prepared  to  laugh  at  winter  and  to  welcome  his 
friends.  *  *  *  " 

The  pine  woods 
around  Chapin's  Farm 
were  soon  leveled  for 
miles — neat  and  com 
fortable  quarters  were 
constructed  as  above 
described.  Many  of 
them  had  brick  fire 
places,  the  bricks  being 
obtained  from  houses 

that  in  army  parlance  "went  up,"  passed  out  of  existence  in  a 
day,  to  furnish  material  for  chimneys  and  doors  for  the  winter 
quarters  of  the  Army  of  the  James.  These  snug  log  huts  gave 
each  regiment  the  appearance  of  a  little  village,  neatly  laid  out  in 
streets. 

On  November  22,  Chaplain  David  "W.  Moore,  having  tendered  his 
resignation  on  account  of  failing  health  from  exposure,  which  being 
accepted  by  Gen.  Butler,  he  then  prepared  to  return  to  his  home  at 
Centreville,  Delaware.  When  about  to  leave  the  Regiment,  he  ad 
dressed  the  following  words  of  farewell : 


AHMY    HUTS   AT    CHAPIN'S    FARM. 


336  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [November, 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97TH  P.  V.,  CHAPIN'S  FARM,  YA., 

November  22,  1864. 
OFFICERS  AND  MEN  OF  THE  97TH  P.  Y. 

We  are  about  to  bid  you  farewell,  after  having  been  associated  with  you  during 
a  memorable  period  of  your  history,  viz.:  that  of  infliction  of  heavy  casualties;  we 
have  seen  your  noble  ranks  broken  by  that  stern  destroyer,  Death!  but  while 
we  have  seen  the  flower  of  the  97th  P.  Y.  cut  down,  by  the  cruel  bands  of  war, 
we  have  beheld  the  sun  of  glory  to  arise  and  shine  upon  the  heads  of  those  who 
have  survived  the  terrible  conflict  and  upon  the  graves  of  your  comrades.  The 
dead  upon  the  bloody  battle  fields  of  Bermuda  Hundred,  Cold  Harbor,  Peters 
burg,  Deep  Bottom  and  Chapin's  Bluff  attest  the  bravery  and  glory  of  the 
historic  97th  P.  Y.  The  sun  of  honor  has  risen  over  you,  as  a  regiment,  never 
to  set  until  time  shall  be  no  longer.  And,  while  painful  emotions  arise  in  our 
hearts,  as  we  recall  the  names  of  the  honored  dead,  yet  theirs  are  "sweet 
memories  indeed,"  for  we  delight  to  dwell  upon  their  heroism  as  soldiers  of  their 
country,  and  we  need  no  appliance  of  marble  or  epitaph  to  preserve  the  record 
of  their  heroic  character,  for  such  is  engraved  upon  our  hearts  never  to  be  effaced 
or  forgotten. 

In  b'dding  you  farewell,  feelings  of  sadness  mingle  with  those  of  joy;  strong 
attachments  have  already  sprung  up,  the  severing  of  which  ties  now  gives  pain. 
The  very  circumstances  under  which  our  friendship  has  been  formed — those  of 
war — which  renders  a  separation  liable  at  any  moment,  knits  more  strongly  the 
cords  of  attachment.  Besides,  we  are  loath  to  leave  a  faithful  band  of  men,  in 
whom  we  feel  such  a  deep  interest  and  who  have  treated  us  with  such  kindness 
and  respect,  exposed  to  the  further  ravages  of  war.  And  we  can  but  regret  that 
our  labors  have  not  been  more  efficient  in  doing  good  as  an  army  chaplain.  But 
it  is  pleasant  to  recall  to  mind  your  deeds  of  noble  daring,  of  which  we  have 
been  an  eye  witness;  and  the  lives  and  characters  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
97th  P.  Y.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  know  that  you,  as  a  regiment,  have  won  unfading 
laurels  and  that  renown  is  yours.  Then  it  gives  us  pleasure  to  remember  how 
you  have  received  us  as  a  minister  of  Christ;  we  have  had  the  most  hearty  co 
operation  on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  97th  P.  Y.  in  the  performance  of  our 
duties  as  chaplain.  The  attention  you  have  given  to  our  feeble  instructions  from 
the  word  of  God  has  been  always  good  and  reflects  great  credit  upon  you  as 
soldiers.  Then,  nothing  unpleasant  has  been  permitted  to  mar  our  happiness, 
interrupt  our  peaceful  associations  or  to  destroy  our  usefulness  among  you.  And 
we  derive  pome  pleasure  from  the  sense  of  having  endeavored  to  be  faithful  in 
counseling  you  as  a  spiritual  teacher.  As  man,  we  are  fallible — "To  err  is 
human,"  and  we  claim  no  exception  in  this  respect.  But,  whatever  we  have 
done  or  left  undone,  the  record  is  now  sealed,  the  recording  angel  has  completed 
his  task  and  we  have  to  wait  the  final  day  of  review,  when  we  all  shall  read 
together  what  has  been  written,  every  thought,  word  and  deed.  Oh  !  that  we  all 
may  hail  such  a  day  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief  and  sorrow.  And  that  such  a 
privilege  and  blessing  may  be  yours  as  that  of  meeting  God — on  the  great  plains 
of  tbe  judgment  day — reconciled,  and  your  friend  in  and  through  His  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  and  our  dear  Saviour;  we  exhort  you  once  again  to  become  as 
good  soldiers  of  the  cross  as  you  have  been  and  are  of  the  crown.  Fight  as 
manfully  the  battles  of  faith  as  you  have  fought  those  of  your  country.  Conquer 


1864.]  REORGANIZATION    OF    THE    ARMY    OF    THE   JAMES.  337 

tbe  rebellion  of  sin  and  wickedness  in  your  own  hearts — as  certainly  as  you  will 
conquer  this  rebellion  against  our  free  institutions  of  Liberty  and  Union — and  a 
spiritual  victory  will  be  yours  also;  unfading  crowns  of  glory  will  cover  your 
heads  and  the  sun  of  eternal  peace  will  rise  to  shine  upon  you  forevermore.  To 
the  God  of  all  grace,  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  we  prayerfully  commit  and 
commend  you  all,  in  life,  in  death  and  in  eternity. 

Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  97th  P.  V  ,  we  bid  you  a  kind  and  effeetionute  fare 
well.  I).  W.  MOORE,  Chaplain  97th  P.  V. 

In  response  to  this  farewell,  Col.  Pennypackei  addressed  the  fol 
lowing  testimonial  letter  to  the  late  chaplain: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  2o  BRIGADE,  2o  DIVISION,  lOxn  A.  C.,  IN  THE  FIELD,  VA., 

November  22,  18(>4. 

I  deem  it  my  simple  duty  to  Chaplain  David  W.  Moore  to  say  that  he  leaves 
the  97th  Reg.,  Pa.  Vols,  with  the  kind  wishes  and  warm  thanks  of  all  its 
members.  By  his  departure,  the  service  loses  a  valuable  officer;  the  cause  of 
Christian  religion,  a  true  disciple  in  the  field;  and  the  soldier,  a  sincere  and  de 
voted  friend.  With  one  accord,  we  all  say  fervently,  "May  God  be  with  him." 

G.  PENNYPACKER, 

Col.  97th  Regt.  Pa.  Vols. 

Chaplain  Moore  had  served  diligently  and  faithfully  for  a  period 
of  six  months  of  most  arduous  and  exposing  service.  He  was 
greatly  respected  and  beloved  by  both  officers  and  men  of  the  Regi- 
ment  and  brigade.  The  author  especially  remembers  his  kind  at 
tention  and  care,  upon  the  occasion  of  his  illness,  with  feelings  of 
appreciative  gratitude.  His  kindly  courtesy  was  manifest  in  his  in 
tercourse  with  all,  and  his  departure  from  the  Regiment  was  uni 
versally  regretted. 

On  December  2,  1864,  the  Army  of  the  James  was  reorganized, 
the  l()th  Corps  and  ISth  Corps  being  consolidated  to  constitute  the 
24th  Army  Corps.  The  colored  troops  of  those  corps,  together  with 
those  of  the  9th  Corps,  constituted  the  25th  Corps.  Maj.  Gen.  E. 
O.  C.  Ord  was  placed  in  command  of  the  24th,  and  Maj.  Gen.  God 
frey  Weitzel  in  command  of  the  25th  Corps.  The  1st  and  2d  divi 
sions  of  the  24th  Corps  formerly  belonged  to  the  10th  Corps,  and 
the  3d  division  of  the  24th  Corps  to  the  18th  Corps;  the  2d  divi 
sion  being  the  same  organization  as  when  in  the  l()th  Corps,  with 
Col.  G.  Pennypacker  still  in  command  of  the  2d  brigade;  the 
only  change  in  the  division  being  the  assignment  of  Brig.  Gen. 
Adelbert  Ames  to  its  command.  The  10th  and  18th  Corps  were, 
however,  reconstructed  after  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher. 

22 


338  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.         [December 


CHAPTER  XL 

DEPARTMENT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA;  BUTLER'S  EXPEDITION  TO  FORT 
FISHER;  TERRY  AND  PORTER  CAPTURE  FORT  FISHER;  ADVANCE 
UPON  WILMINGTON;  OCCUPATION  OF  GOLDSBORO'  AND  RALEIGH; 
LEE'S  SURRENDER  TO  GRANT;  JOHNSON'S  SURRENDER  TO  SHERMAN; 
OCCUPATION  OF  GASTON  AND  WELDON,  N.  C.;  MUSTER-OUT  AND 
RETURN  HOME;  DECEMBER,  1864,  TO  AUGUST  28,  1865. 

REPARATIONS  were  now  being  made  for  a  forward 
movement  in  the  Department  of  North  Carolina  and 
operations  directed  with  especial  reference  to  the 
early  reduction  of  Fort  Fisher.  This  strong  work 
defended  the  entrance,  by  the  Cape  Fear  River,  to 
Wilmington,  N.  C.,  by  far  the  most  important  of  the 
few  seaports  still  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  Its 
strategic  value  was  the  greater  because  our  navy 
could  not  perfectly  seal  it  by  blockade.  Rear  Ad 
miral  David  D.  Porter,  commanding  the  North  Atlantic  Squadron, 
had  collected,  early  in  November,  in  Hampton  Roads,  the  largest 
flotilla  ever  assembled  for  an  assault  on  a  single  point.  Unusual 
attention  was  attracted  to  these  preparations  by  northern  journals, 
more  desirous  of  giving  their  readers  information  than  careful  to 
count  the  consequence  of  giving,  also,  the  enemy  all  they  desired  to 
know  of  important  movements  of  the  army  and  navy,  causing  the 
expedition  to  be  delayed  until  late  in  December. 

Gen.  Butler  had  conceived  the  project  of  a  torpedo  vessel,  to  be 
disguised  as  a  blockade  runner,  and  charged  with  two  hundred  and 
fifty  tons  of  powder,  to  be  run  under  the  sea-wall  of  Fort  Fisher 
at  night,  and  there  exploding  it  by  a  fuse,  trusting  that  at  least  the 
garrison  would  be  so  paralyzed  by  the  resulting  shock  as  to  facilitate 
a  prompt  seizure  of  the  fort  by  its  besiegers.  Some  delay  occurred 
in  these  preparations.  An  old  war-worn  propeller,  the  Louisiana, 
was  dismantled  and  prepared,  under  the  direction  of  Admiral  Porter, 


1864-1  OPERATIONS   AGAINST   FORT   FISHER.  339 

and  the  requisite  means  of  securing  the  success  of  the  project  were 
adopted. 

At  sunset,  on  the  7th  of  December,  the  land  forces,  under  com 
mand  of  Maj.  Gen.  Godfrey  Weitzel,  left  camp,  at  Chapin's  Farm, 
Va.  About  three  thousand,  officers  and  men,  had  been  selected 
from  the  2d  division  of  the  24th  Corps,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen. 
Adelbert  Ames;  a  like  number  of  colored  troops  from  the  3d  divi 
sion  of  the  25th  Corps,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Charles  J.  Paine; 
Company  E  3d  U.  S.  Art'y,  commanded  by  1st  Lieut.  John  R. 
Myrick,  with  six  pieces  of  field  artillery,  and  the  16th  N.  Y.  Inde 
pendent  Light  Battery,  commanded  by  Capt.  Richard  H.  Lee,  to 
gether  with  a  company  of  the  1st  N.  Y.  Engs.,  commanded  by  1st 
Lieut.  Charles  B.  Parsons,  the  whole  comprising  about  six  thou 
sand  five  hundred,  officers  and  men.  Crossing  the  James  River,  at 
Deep  Bottom,  the  march  was  continued  through  a  heavy  rain,  to 
the  signal  tower,  near  Point  of  Rocks,  where  the  troops  were  or 
dered  to  bivouac  for  the  night. 

Col.  G.  Fred.  Granger,  of  the  9th  Maine,  remained  in  command 
of  the  camp  of  the  division,  at  Chapin's  Farm;  Capt.  James  A. 
Barnett,  of  the  48th  N.  Y.,  in  command  of  the  brigade  detachment, 
and  1st  Lieut.  William  H.  Martin  in  charge  of  recent  conscripts 
and  convalescents  at  the  camp  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  with  instructions 
to  maintain  squad  drill,  camp  guard,  etc,  Lieut.  Martin  was  also 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general  at  division  head-quarters. 

The  troops  embarked  on  ocean  transports  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  8th.  Col.  Pennypacker's  brigade,  numbering  eleven  hun 
dred  men,  was  put  on  board  the  steamers  Perriott,  L.  Moore  and 
Idaho. 

At  3  A.  M.  on  the  13th,  Gen.  Butler,  who  accompanied  the 
expedition,  gave  the  signal  for  starting,  and,  in  order  to  mislead 
the  enemy  as  to  its  destination,  proceeded  up  Chesapeake  Bay 
and  Potomac  River,  to  Matthias  Point,  in  view  of  the  scouts  and 
signal  men  of  the  enemy,  returning  the  following  night  to  anchor 
under  the  lee  of  Cape  Charles. 

On  the  14th,  the  transports  went  to  sea,  arrived  off  New  Inlet 
on  the  15th,  and  came  to  anchor  soon  after  at  the  rendezvous  at 
Masonboro'  Inlet. 

Porter's  fleet  arrived  off  Beaufort,  N.  C.,  on  the  16th,  and  having 
to  procure  ammunition  there  for  his  monitors,  did  not  arrive  at  New 
Inlet  until  the  evening  of  the  18th.  Having  previously  succeeded 


340  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [December, 

in  getting  soundings  of  the  beach  within  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  of  the  works,  Admiral  Porter  prepared  to  send  in  the  powder 
boat  Louisiana;  but,  upon  information  that  the  transports  of  Gen. 
Butler  had  nearly  exhausted  their  supply  of  coal  and  water,  and 
the  gale  increasing  in  severity,  operations  were  delayed.  The  trans 
ports  returned  to  Beaufort  to  replenish ;  the  continuance  of  the  gale 
prevented  their  return  until  the  24th. 

After  the  storm  ceased  the  sea  went  down  rapidly.  The  night  of 
the  23d  was  clear  and  fair — the  wind  light  from  N.  N.  W.  Admiral 
Porter  having  determined  to  attack  on  the  next  day,  the  24th,  had 
sent  word  to  Geri.  Butler  to  that  effect.  Porter,  at  10  P.  M., 
without  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  Butler's  force,  ordered  Com 
mander  Alexander  C.  Rhind  to  proceed  in  at  once  and  blow  up  the 
powder  boat.  That  intrepid  and  gallant  officer,  with  a  few  men  of 
equal  bravery,  successfully  carried  out  the  plan  of  conducting  the 


LAND   AND    SEA    FRONT    OF   FOKT    FISHEK. 


Louisiana  to  the  designated  position,  and,  setting  the  clock  at  11.50 
P.  M.,  to  run  an  hour  and  a  half  before  exploding  the  powder,  re 
turned  to  the  Wilderness,  awaiting  them.  At  1.40  A.  M.,  a  huge 
column  of  fire  rushed  straight  upward;  four  loud  explosions  followed 
at  intervals  of  about  half  a  second  and  all  was  darkness.  The  ex 
plosion,  however,  failed  to  damage  the  enemy's  works.  It  was  in 
tended  to  have  been  followed  by  an  immediate  bombardment  and 
the  landing  of  Butler's  forces  upon  the  peninsula  above  the  fort. 

It  was  11.30  A.  M.,  on  the  24th,  when  Porter's  fleet  advanced 
and  began  the  bombardment.  A  rapid,  accurate  and  terrible  fire 
was  concentrated  upon  the  fort,  which  opened  briskly  in  return,  but 
the  well-directed  range  of  the  fleet  had  such  effect  as  to  silence 
the  enemy's  guns  in  about  seventy-five  minutes,  it  also  set  on  fire 
the  combustible  material  and  exploded  two  of  the  magazines.  The 
fire  was  continued  without  interruption  until  sunset.  By  this  time 
Gen.  Butler's  transports  had  returned. 

At  7  A.  M.,  on  the  25th,  the  bombardment  was  renewed  and  con 
tinued  for  several  hours,  the  enemy  responding  for  a  short  time  with 
two  guns  only.  A  portion  of  Porter's  vessels  drew  off,  having  ex- 


1864  1  OPERATIONS   AGAINST   FORT    FISHER.  341 

hausted  their  ammunition.     The  iron  clads  were  ordered  to  continue 
the  fire  throughout  the  night. 

In  the  meantime,  on  the  morning  of  the  '24th,  the  transports  of 
Gen.  Ames'  division  anchored  near  the  shore,  two  and  a  half  miles 
north  of  Fort  Fisher,  and  commenced  debarking  the  troops.  The 
1st  brigade  advanced  its  skirmishers  and,  while  the  '2d  brigade  (Col. 
Penny-packer's),  was  landing,  the  enemy  opened  a  slight  infantry  fire, 
which  was  quickly  silenced. 

Gen.  Weitzel  advanced  Col.  Curtis'  brigade  (the  1st)  upon  a  re- 
connoissance  toward  the  fort,  reaching  to  within  eight  hundred 
yards  of  it.  He  then  pushed  forward  a  strong  skirmish  line  to 
within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  capturing  a  small  outwork  called 
Flag  Pond  Hill  Battery,  mounting  one  eight-inch  gun,  with  two 
officers  and  sixty-five  men,  belonging  to  the  17th  and  42d  N.  C.,  of 
Kirkland's  brigade.  They  held  out  a  white  flag  as  the  force  ad 
vanced  with  them.  The  navy  sent  boats  and  took  the  prisoners  on 
board  the  fleet. 

Gen.  Weitzel's  observations  having  convinced  him  that  Fort 
Fisher  was  exceedingly  strong,  and  that  its  defensive  power  had  riot 
been  essentially  injured  by  Porter's  fire,  he  returned,  as  directed,  to 
Gen.  Butler  and  reported  that  it  would  be  unsafe  to  assault  such  a 
work  with  sixty-five  hundred  men.  Gen.  Butler,  disappointed,  then 
ran  his  vessel  close  in  shore  to  observe  the  works,  and  reluctantly 
acquiesced  in  Weitzel's  decision.  In  the  interval  between  Weitzel 
leaving  the  fort  and  reporting  to  Gen.  Butler,  Curtis  reported  to 
Ames  that  he  could  take  the  fort.  Ames  then  sent  the  remainder  of 
his  division  forward  to  make  the  attempt.  At  some  distance  from 
the  small  battery  already  captured  by  Curtis  was  another  of  similar 
construction,  called  Half  Moon  Battery.  This,  Col.  Rums  Daggett's 
regiment,  the  117th  X.  Y.,  dashed  rapidly  upon  and  secured, 
taking  prisoners  a  major,  five  other  officers  and  two  hundred  and 
eighteen  men.  Curtis  continued  to  advance,  his  skirmish  line  reach 
ing  within  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  yards  of  the  fort,  protected  by 
the  glacis,  constructed  in  such  manner  as  to  give  cover,  the  garri 
son  being  kept  in  their  bombproofs  by  the  fire  of  the  navy.  A 
number  of  men  on  the  skirmish  lines  were  here  wounded  by  the 
shell  from  the  fleet.  By  the  time  CurtiS  had  reached  this  position 
it  was  dark.  The  navy  had  almost  ceased  its  fire;  the  enemy  began 
to  man  their  guns  again.  The  order  to  retire  had  been  received  by 
Gen.  Ames,  and  Curtis  was  recalled  just  as  he  had  disposed  his  force 


342  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [December, 

lor  an  assault.  There  was  no  choice  left  but  to  obey  the  positive 
order,  which,  if  delayed  fifteen  minutes,  would  have  been  .too  late  to 
have  prevented  the  demonstration  of  the  unsolved  problem,  "  Could 
Fort  Fisher  have  been  then  taken  by  the  troops  before  if?"  Curtis 
believed  that  it  could  if  his  brigade  was  properly  supported  and  re 
inforced  by  the  remainder  of  the  division;  and  the  remainder  of 
the  division  only  needed  the  command  "  Forward"  to  have  followed 
him  as  closely  as  it  did  subsequently. 

The  aggregate  force  of  the  garrison  was  afterward  ascertained  to 
have  been  one  thousand  and  seventy-seven  men,  of  which  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  were  of  the  junior  reserves,  fifty  sailors,  the  remain 
der  well-disciplined  veteran  troops,  all  under  command  of  Col.  Wil 
liam  Lamb,  acting  under  direction  of  Maj.  Gen.  William  H.  C. 
Whiting,  provisional  army  C.  S. 

As  the  troops  retired,  the  guns  of  the  fort  and  a  sharp  fire  of 
musketry  swept  the  beach  over  which  they  moved. 

The  casualties  to  our  force  were  one  officer  captured,  about  fifteen 
men  wounded,  by  our  shells,  in  the  skirmish  line,  and  one  was  sub 
sequently  drowned  in  the  surf  while  re-embarking.  The  number 
of  prisoners  captured  was  eight  oificers  and  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  men.  Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  landing  supplies  for  his  men, 
Gen.  Butler  now  determined  to  withdraw  his  force  and  return  to 
Fortress  Monroe. 

The  re-embarking  of  the  troops  was  attended  with  great  diffi 
culty  on  account  of  the  roughness  of  the  sea;  it  occupied  all  of  the 
26th.  About  three  hundred  of  the  1st  brigade  remained  ashore  until 
the  morning  of  the  27th.  After  reaching  Fortress  Monroe,  the 
land  force  proceeded  to  their  former  position  at  Chapin's  Farm. 

Commissions  had  been  received,  during  December,  for  2d  Lieut, 
William  H.  Martin,  Company  A,  as  1st  .lieutenant;  2d  Lieut.  Leo 
nard  R.  Thomas,  Company  C,  as  1st  lieutenant;  Sergt  Maj.  Chey- 
ney  T.  Haines,  Company  G,  as  1st  lieutenant,  and  1st  Sergt.  Phares 
P.  Brown,  Company  H,  as  2d  lieutenant.  The  warrant  of  sergeant 
major  was  then  given  to  Corp.  Henry  R.  Coates,  Company  K,  and 
that  of  quarter-master  sergeant  to  Corp.  John  H.  Brower,  Com 
pany  F. 

The  failure  of  Butler's  expedition  and  the  withdrawal  of  his 
force  gave  rise  to  much  controversial  comment.  Porter  was  cre 
dited  with  saying,  with  logical  force,  "I  don't  pretend  to  put  my 
opinion  in  opposition  to  that  of  Gen.  Weitzel,  who  is  a  thorough 


is«4.]  GRANT'S  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  GENERAL  WEITZEL.  343 

soldier  and  an  able  engineer,  and  whose  business  it  is  to  know  more 
of  assaulting  than  I  do,  but  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  it  was 
worth  while  to  make  the  attempt  after  coming  so  far." 

Gen.  Grant  was  profoundly  dissatisfied;  he  had  intended  Weitzel 
to  have  commanded  the  expedition,  but  had  acquiesced  in  Gen. 
Butler  accompanying  at  his  urgent  request.  Grant's  instructions 
for  the  guidance  of  Weitzel  had  been  through  courtesy  communi 
cated  to  Butler,  as  the  department  commander,  in  the  following 

letter: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMIES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
CITY  POINT,  VA.,  December  fi,  1864. 

GENERAL:  The  first  object  of  the  expedition  under  General  Weitzel  is  to 
close  to  the  enemy  the  port  of  Wilmington.  If  successful  in  this,  the  second 
will  be  the  capture  of  Wilmington  itself.  There  are  reasonable  grounds  to  hope 
for  success,  if  advantage  can  be  taken  of  the  absence  of  a  great  part  of  the 
enemy's  forces,  now  looking  after  Sherman  in  Georgia.  The  directions  yob  have 
given  for  the  number  and  equipment  of  the  expedition  are  all  right,  except  in  the 
unimportant  one  of  where  they  embark  and  the  amount  of  intrenching  tools  to  be 
taken.  The  object  of  the  expedition  will  be  gained  on  affecting  a  landing  on  the 
main  land  between  Cape  Fear  River  and  the  Atlantic,  north  of  the  north  entrance 
to  the  river.  Should  such  landing  be  effected,  whether  the  enemy  hold  Fort 
Fisher  or  the  batteries  guarding  the  entrance  to  the  river  there,  the  troops  should 
intrench  themselves,  and  by  no-operating  with  the  navy  effect  the  reduction  and 
capture  of  those  places.  These  in  our  hands,  the  navy  could  enter  the  harbor 
and  the  port  of  Wilmington  would  be  sealed.  Should  Fort  Fisher  and  the  point 
of  land  on  which  it  is  built  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  troops  immediately  on  land 
ing,  it  will  be  worth  the  attempt  to  capture  Wilmington  by  a  forced  march  and 
surprise. 

If  time  is  consumed  in  gaining  the  first  object  of  the  expedition,  the  second 
will  become  a  matter  of  after  consideration. 

The  details  for  the  execution  are  intrusted  to  you  and  the  officers  immediately 
in  command  of  the  troops. 

Should  the  troops  under  General  Weitzel  fail  to  effect  a  landing  at  or  near 
Fort  Fisher,  they  will  be  returned  to  the  array  operating  against  Richmond 
without  delay. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant  General. 

MAJOR  GENERAL  BUTLER, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  James. 

Gen.  Weitzel,  having  advised  and  concurred  in  the  impropriety  of 
an  assault  with  their  present  force,  claims  to  have  been  unaware  of 
the  purport  or  existence  of  the  above  order  until  it  was  published 
in  Gen.  Butler's  report.  Had  it  reached  him,  or  had  he  been  placed 
in  command  of  the  expedition — he  says,  in  his  testimony  before  the 
Joint  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War — "  If  I  had  had  the  in 
structions  that  Gen.  Grant  gave  to  Gen.  Butler,  I  should  have  done 


344  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

one  thing  that  Gen.  Butler  did  not  do ;  I  would  have  intrenched  and 
remained  there/' 

Gen.  Butler  was  relieved  of  his  command  on  January  7,  1865; 
no  doubt  in  consequence  of  this  failure.  Maj.  Gen.  E.  O.  C.  Ord 
was  then  placed  in  command  of  the  department,  and  Maj.  Gen. 
John  Gibbon,  commanding  2d  division,  2d  Corps,  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  24th  Corps  (Ord's),  which  he  retained  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Upon  being  relieved,  Gen.  Butler  issued  the  following  farewell  to 
the  troops: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  YIRGINTA  AND  NORTH  CAROLINA, 
ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES,  January  8,  1865. 

SOLDIERS  OP  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES:  Your  commander,  relieved  by  order 
of  the  President,  takes  leave  of  you.  Your  conduct  in  the  field  has  extorted 
praises  from  the  unwilling.  You  have  endured  the  privations  of  the  camp  and 
the  march  without  a  murmur.  You  have  never  failed  to  attack  when  ordered. 
You  have  stormed  and  carried  works  deemed  impregnable  by  the  enemy.  You 
have  shown  the  positions  to  be  so,  by  holding  them  against  his  fiercest  assaults 
in  the  attempts  to  retake  them.  Those  skilled  in  war  have  marvelled  at  the  ob 
stacles  overcome  by  your  valor.  Your  line  of  works  has  excited  the  wonder  of 
officers  of  other  nations,  who  have  come  10  learn  defensive  warfare  from  the 
monuments  of  your  skilled  labor.  Your  deeds  have  rendered  your  names  illus 
trious.  In  after  times  your  general's  proudest  memory  will  be  to  say  with  you, 
"I,  too,  was  of  the  Army  of  the  James."  To  have  such  companionship  is 
pleasure.  To  participate  in  such  acts  is  honor.  To  have  commanded  such  an 
army  is  glory.  No  one  could  yield  it  without  regret.  Knowing  your  willing 
obedience  to  orders,  witnessing  your  ready  devotion  of  your  blood  in  your  coun 
try's  cause,  I  have  been  chary  of  the  precious  charge  confided  to  me.  I  have 
refused  to  order  the  useless  sacrifice  of  the  lives  of  such  soldiers,  and  I  am  re 
lieved  from  your  command.  The  wasted  blood  of  my  men  does  not  stain  my  gar 
ments.  For  my  actions  I  am  responsible  to  God  and  my  country. 

To  THE  COLORED  TROOPS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES:  In  this  army  you 
have  been  treated  not  as  laborers  but  as  soldiers.  You  have  shown  yourselves 
worthy  of  the  uniform  you  wear.  The  best  officers  of  the  Union  seek  to  com 
mand  you.  Your  bravery  has  won  the  admiration  even  of  those  who  would  be 
your  masters.  Your  patriotism,  fidelity  and  courage  have  illustrated  the  best 
qualities  of  manhood.  With  the  bayonet  you  have  unlocked  the  iron-barred 
gates  of  prejudice,  opening  new  fields  of  freedom,  liberty  and  equality  of  right 
to  yourselves  and  your  race  forever. 

Comrades  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  I  bid  you  farewell !  farewell! 

BENJ.  F.  BUTLER,  Major  General. 

Admiral  Porter's  fleet  remained  off  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.  Gen. 
Grant  determined  upon  a  second  expedition  to  that  point  and  se 
lected  Brig,  and  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  commander  of  the 


1865.]  GRANT'S  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  GENERAL  TERRY.  345 

1st  division,  24th  Corps,  to  command  the  land  force.     Gen.  Grant's 
instructions  to  Gen.  Terry  were  as  follows: 

CITY  POINT,  VA.,  January  3,  1865. 

GENERAL:  The  expedition  entrusted  to  your  command  has  been  fitted  out  to 
renew  the  attempt  to  capture  Fort  Fisher.  N.  C.,  and  Wilmington  ultimately,  if 
the  fort  falls.  You  will  then  proceed  with  as  little  delay  as  possible  to  the  naval 
fleet  lying:  off  Cape  Fear  River,  and  report  the  arrival  of  yourself  and  command 
to  Admiral  I).  D.  Porter,  commanding  North  Atlantic  blockading  squadron. 

It  is  exceedingly  desirable  that  the  most  complete  understanding  should  exist 
between  yourself  and  the  naval  commander.  I  suggest,  therefore,  that  you 
consult  with  Admiral  Porter  freely,  and  get  from  him  the  part  to  be  performed 
by  each  branch  of  the  public  service,  so  that  there  may  be  unity  of  action.  It 
would  be  well  to  have  the  whole  programme  laid  down  in  writing.  I  have 
served  with  Admiral  Porter,  and  know  that  you  can  rely  on  his  judgment  and 
his  nerve  to  undertake  what  he  proposes.  I  would,  therefore,  defer  to  him  as 
much  as  is  consistent  with  your  own  responsibilities.  The  first  object  to  be  at 
tained  is  get  a  firm  position  on  the  spit  of  land  on  which  Fort  Fisher  is  built, 
from  which  you  can  operate  against  that  fort.  You  want  to  look  to  the  prac 
ticability  of  receiving  your  supplies  and  to  defending  yourself  against  superior 
forces  sent  against  you  by  any  of  the  avenues  left  open  to  the  enemy.  If  such  a 
position  can  be  obtained,  the  siege  of  Fort  Fisher  will  not  be  abandoned  until  its 
reduction  is  accomplished  or  another  plan  of  campaign  is  ordered  from  these 
head-quarters. 

My  own  views  are  that,  if  you  effect  a  lauding,  the  navy  ought  to  run  a  portion 
of  their  fleet  into  Cape  Fear  River,  while  the  balance  of  it  operates  on  the  out 
side.  Land  forces  cannot  invest  Fort  Fisher,  or  cut  it  off  from  supplies  or  rein 
forcements,  while  the  river  is  in  possession  of  the  enemy. 

A  siege  train  will  be  loaded  on  vessels  and  sent  to  Fortress  Monroe,  in  readi 
ness  to  be  sent  to  you  if  required.  All  other  supplies  can  be  drawn  from 
Beaufort  as  you  need  them. 

Keep  the  fleet  of  vessels  with  you  until  your  position  is  assured.  When  you 
find  they  can  be  spared,  order  them  back,  or  such  of  them  as  you  can  spare,  to 
Fortress  Monroe,  to  report  for  orders. 

In  case  of  failure  to  effect  a  landing,  bring  your  command  back  to  Beaufort, 
and  report  to  these  bead-quarters  for  further  instructions.  You  will  not  debark 
at  Beaufort  until  so  directed. 

General  Sheridan  has  been  ordered  to  send  a  division  of  troops  to  Baltimore, 
and  place  them  on  sea-going  vessels.  These  troops  will  be  brought  to  Fortress 
Monroe  and  kept  there  on  the  vessels  until  you  are  heard  from.  Should  you 
require  them  they  will  be  sent  to  you. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant  General. 

BREVET  MAJ.  GEN.  A.  H.  TERRY. 

V 

On  January  2,  1865,  the  same  troops,  with  the  addition  of  Ab 
bott's  brigade  of  the  1st  division,  24th  Corps,  numbering  about  one 
thousand  five  hundred  men,  and  a  small  siege  train,  embarked  on 


346 


HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[January, 


transports  in  the  James  River  and  proceeded  to  Hampton  Roads. 
Arrangements  for  the  starting  of  the  second  expedition  were  made 
by  Lieut.  Col.  William  L.  James,  chief  quarter-master  Department 
of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  who  was  subsequently  promoted 


PLAN    OP    LAND   AND   NAVAL   OPERATIONS   AT    FORT    FISHER. 

to  brevet  brigadier  general,  for  the  secrecy  and  celerity  with  which 
he  collected  and  equipped  the  transports,  by  which  means  the  expe 
dition  was  sent  to  sea,  on  January  6,  without  its  destination  be 
coming  known;  it  arrived  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  off  Beaufort, 
N.  C,  on  January  8,  being  delayed  by  a  severe  storm. 


1865.]         TERRY'S  REPORT  OF  THE  CAPTURE  OF  FORT  FISHER.          347 

Owing  to  unpropitious  weather,  the  fleet  remained  off  Beaufort 
until  the  morning  of  the  l'2th,  when  it  got  under  way  and  reached 
Federal  Point,  X.  C.,  the  same  evening  and  disembarked  about  four 
miles  north  of  Fort  Fisher,  on  the  13th. 

The  account  of  the  movements  against  Fort  Fisher  is  best  given 
in  the  words  of  Gen.  Terry's  report  to  Gen.  Kawlins,  chief  of  staff 
to  Gen.  Grant,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are  made : 

*  *  *  At  4  A.  M.,  on  the  13th,  the  inshore  division  of  naval 
vessels  stood  in  close  to  the  beach  to  cover  the  landing;  the  transports  followed 
and  took  position  in  line  parallel  to  the  naval  vessels  and  about  two  hundred 
yards  in  rear  of  them.  The  iron  clads  moved  to  within  range  of  the  fort  and 
opened  fire  upon  it.  *  *  *  At  3  P.  M.,  nearly  eight  thousand  men, 
with  three  days'  rations  in  haversacks  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  in  cartridge- 
boxes;  six  days' supply  of  hard  bread  in  bulk,  three  hundred  thousand  additional 
rounds  of  small  arm  ammunition  and  a  sufficient  number  of  intrenching  tools 
had  been  safely  landed.  *  * 

As  soon  as  the  troops  had  commenced  landing,  pickets  were  thrown  out; 
they  immediately  encountered  outposts  of  the  enemy  and  shots  were  exchanged, 
but  no  serious  engagement  occurred.  A  few  prisoners  were  taken,  from  whom  I 
learned  that  Iloke's  rebel  division,  which  it  was  supposed  had  been  sent  further 
south,  was  still  here  and  that  it  was  bis  outposts  which  we  were  meeting. 
*  *  Shortly  before  5  P.  M.,  leaving  Abbott's  brigade  to  cover  our 

stores,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion  for  a  position  about  three  miles  from  the 
fort,  where  the  maps  showed  a  large  pond  occupying  nearly  one  third  of  the 
width  of  the  peninsula.  On  arriving  at  it,  the  pond  was  found  to  be  a  Band-flat, 
sometimes  covered  with  water,  giving  no  assistance  to  the  defence  of  a  line  es 
tablished  behind  it.  Nevertheless,  it  was  determined  to  get  a  line  across  at  this 
place,  and  Paine's  division,  followed  by  two  of  Ames'  brigades,  including  Penny- 
packer's,  made  their  way  through.  The  night  was  very  dark,  much  of  the  ground 
wa?  a  marsh  and  illy  adapted  to  the  construction  of  works,  and  the  distance  was 
found  to  be  too  great  to  be  properly  defended  by  the  troops  which  could  be  spared 
from  the  direct  attack  upon  the  fort.  It  was  not  until  9  P.  M.  that  Paine  reached 
the  river. 

The  ground  still  nearer  the  fort  was  then  reconnoitered  and  found  to  be  much 
better  adapted  to  our  purposes.  Accordingly,  the  troops  were  withdrawn  from 
their  last  position  and  established  on  a  line  about  two  milea  from  the  works. 
They  reached  this  final  position,  at  2  o'clock  A.  M.  on  the  Nth.  Tools  were 
immediately  brought  up  and  the  intrenchments  were  commenced.  At  8  o'clock 
A.  M.,  a  good  breastwork,  reaching  from  the  ricer  to  the  sea  and  partially 
covered  by  abattis,  had  been  constructed,  and  was  in  a  defensible  condition.  It 
was  much  improved  afterward,  but  from  this  time  our  foothold  on  the  peninsula 
was  secured. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the  landing  of  the  artillery  was  commenced, 
and  by  sunset  all  the  light  guns  were  gotten  on  shore.  During  the  following 
night  they  were  placed  on  the  line — most  of  them  near  the  river,  where  the  enemy, 
in  case  be  should  attack  us,  would  be  least  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  gunboats 


348  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January 

Curtis'  brigade  of  Ames'  division  was  moved  down  toward  Fort  Fisher, 
during-  the  morning,  and  at  noon  his  skirmishers,  after  capturing  on  their  way  a 
small  steamer,  which  had  come  down  the  river  with  shell  and  forage,  for  the 
garrison  of  the  fort,  reached  a  small  unfinished  outwork  in  front  of  the  west  end 
of  the  land  front  of  the  work.  Brig.  Gen.  Curtis,  Lieut.  Col.  (now  brevet  briga 
dier  general)  Comstock,  the  chief  engineer  of  the  expedition,  and  myself,  under 
the  protection  of  the  fire  of  the  fleet,  made  a  careful  reconnoissance  of  the  work, 
getting  within  six  hundred  yards  of  it.  *  *  *  As  the  result  of  this 
reconnoissance,  and  in  view  of  the  extreme  difficulty  which  might  be  expected 
in  landing  supplies,  and  the  material  for  a  siege  on  the  open  and  often  tem 
pestuous  beach,  it  was  decided  to  attempt  an  assault  the  next  day,  provided  that, 
in  the  meantime,  the  fire  of  the  navy  should  so  far  destroy  the  palisades  as  to 
make  one  practicable.  *  *  * 

The  fire  of  the  navy  continued  during  the  night.  At  8  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the 
15th,  all  of  the  vessels,  except  a  division  left  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  our  northern 
line,  moved  into  position,  and  a  fire,  magnificent  alike  for  its  power  and  accuracy, 
was  opened. 

Ames'  division  had  been  selected  for  the  assault.  Paine  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  the  defensive  line,  having  with  him  Abbotts'  brigade  in  addition  to  his 
own  division.  Ames'  1st  brigade  (Curtis')  was  already  at  the  outwork  above 
mentioned  and  in  trenches  close  around  it.  His  other  two  brigades,  Penny- 
packer's  and  Bell's,  were  moved,  at  noon,  to  within  supporting  distance  of  him. 
At  2  o'clock,  preparations  for  the  assault  were  commenced.  Sixty  sharp-shooters 
from  the  13th  Ind.  Yols.,  armed  with  Spencer  repeating  carbines,  and  forty 
others,  volunteers  from  Curtis'  brigade,  the  whole  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Lent,  of  the  13th  Ind.,  were  thrown  forward,  at  a  run,  to  within  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  yards  of  the  work.  They  were  provided  with  shovels,  and  soon 
dug  pits  for  shelter  and  commenced  firing  upon  the  parapet.  As  soon  as  this 
movement  commenced,  the  parapet  of  the  fort  was  manned,  and  the  enemy's  fire, 
both  of  musketry  and  artillery,  opened.  When  the  sharp-shooters  were  in  po 
sition,  Curtis'  brigade  was  moved  forward,  by  regiment,  at  the  double  quick  into 
line,  about  four  hundred  and  seventy-five  yards  from  the  work.  The  men  then 
lay  down.  This  was  accomplished  under  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery, 
from  which,  however,  they  soon  sheltered  themselves,  by  digging  shallow 
trenches. 

When  Curtis  moved  from  the  outwork,  Pennypacker  was  brought  up  to  it,  and 
Bell  was  brought  into  line  two  hundred  yards  in  his  rear.  Finding  that  a  good 
cover  for  Curtis'  men  could  be  found  on  the  reverse  slope  of  a  crest,  sixty  yards 
in  rear  of  the  sharp-shooters,  they  were  again  moved  forward,  one  regiment  at  a 
time,  and  again  covered  themselves  in  trenches.  Pennypacker  followed  Curtis 
and  occupied  the  ground  vacated  by  him,  and  Bell  was  brought  up  to  the  out 
work. 

It  had  been  proposed  to  blow  up  and  cut  down  the  palisades.  Bags  of  powder 
with  fuses  attached  had  been  prepared,  and  a  party  of  volunteer  axemen  or 
ganized  ;  but  the  fire  of  the  navy  had  been  so  effective  that  it  was  thought  un 
necessary  to  use  the  powder.  The  axemen,  however,  were  sent  in  with  the 
leading  brigade  and  did  good  service  by  making  openings  in  portions  of  the 
palisading,  which  the  firu  had  not  been  able  to  reach. 


1865.]         TERRY'S  REPORT  OF  THE  CAPTURE  OF  FORT  FISHER.          349 

At  3.25  P.  M.,  all  the  preparations  were  completed;  the  order  to  move  forward 
was  given  to  Gen.  Ames,  and  a  concerted  signal  wns  made  to  Admiral  Porter  to 
change  the  direction  of  bis  fire.  Curtis'  brigade  at  once  sprang  from  their 
trenches,  and  dashed  forward  in  line.  Its  left  was  exposed  to  a  severe  enfilading 
fire,  and  it  obliqued  to  the  right,  so  as  to  envelope  the  left  of  the  land  front;  the 
ground  over  which  it  moved  was  marshy  and  difficult,  but  it  soon  reached  the 
palisades,  passed  through  them  and  effected  a  lodgment  on  the  parapet.  *  * 

When  Curtis  moved  forward,  Ames  directed  Pennypacker  to  move  up  to  the 
rear  of  the  sharp-shooters,  and  brought  Hell  up  to  Pennypacker's  late  position, 
and,  as  soon  as  Curtis  got  a  foothold  on  the  parapet,  sent  Pennypacker  in  to  his 
support.  He  advanced,  overlapping  Curtis'  right,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the 
heavy  palisading,  which  extended  from  the  west  end  of  the  land  face  to  the 
river,  capturing  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners  [about  four  hundred];  then 
pushing  forward  to  the  left,  the  two  brigades  together  drove  the  enemy  from 
about  one  quarter  of  the  land  face.  Ames  then  brought  up  Bell's  brigade  and 
moved  it  between  the  work  and  the  river. 

On  this  side  there  was  no  regular  parapet,  but  there  was  an  abundance  of 
cover  afforded  to  the  enemy  by  cavities  from  which  sand  had  been  taken  for  the 
parapets,  the  ruins  of  barracks  and  storehouses,  the  large  magazines  and  by  tra 
verses,  behind  which  they  stubbornly  resisted  our  advance. 

Band-to-hand  fighting  of  the  most  desperate  character  ensued,  the  huge 
traverses  of  the  land  face,  being  used  successively  by  the  enemy,  as  breast 
works,  over  the  tops  of  which  the  contending  parties  fired  into  each  other's 
faces.  Nine  of  these  were  carried,  one  after  another,  by  our  men.  *  *  * 

Until  6  o'clock,  the  fire  of  the  navy  continued  upon  that  portion  of  the  work 
not  occupied  by  us;  after  that  time,  it  was  directed  upon  the  beach,  to  prevent 
the  coming  up  of  reinforcements.  * 

The  lighting  for  the  traverses  continued  until  nearly  9  o'clock,  two  more  of 
them  being  carried;  then  a  portion  of  Abbott's  brigade  (which  had  been  brought 
to  the  support  of  the  assault),  drove  the  enemy  from  their  last  remaining  strong 
hold,  and  the  occupation  of  the  work  was  completed.  The  same  brigade,  with 
Gen  Blackburn's  regiment  (27th  U.  S.  Colored  Troops),  were  immediatelv 
pushed  down  the  point  to  Battery  Buchanan,  whither  many  of  the  garrison  had 
fled.  On  reaching  the  battery,  all  of  the  enemy  who  bad  not  been  previously 
t-aptured  were  made  prisoners;  among  them  were  Maj.  Gen.  Whiting  and  Col. 
Lamb,  the  commandant  of  the  fort.  *  *  * 

In  all  the  works  were  found  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  pieces  of  artillery, 
nearly  all  heavy,  over  two  thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  considerable  quantities 
of  conmiissary  stores,  and  full  supplies  of  ammunition.  Our  prisoners  numbered 
one  hundred  and  twelve  commissioned  officers  and  one  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  seventy-one  enlisted  men.  I  have  no  words  to  do  justice  to  the  behavior  of 
both  officers  and  men  on  this  occasion;  all  that  men  could  do  they  did;  better 
soldiers  never  fought.  *  *  *  Brig.  Gen.  Curtis  and  Cols.  Pennvpaeker, 
Bell  and  Abbott,  the  brigade  commanders,  led  them  with  the  utmost  galhmtrv. 

Curtis  was  wounded  after  fighting  in  the  front  rank,  rifle  in  hand;  Penny, 
packer,  while  carrying  the  standard  of  one  of  his  regiments,  the  97th  P.  V.,  the 
first  man  in  a  charge  over  a  traverse.  Bell  was  mortally  wounded  near  the 
palisades.  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  supplemental  report  in  reference  to 


350  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

those  subordinate  officers  and  enlisted  men  who  distinguished  themselves  on  this 
occasion.     I  forward,  herewith,  Gen.  Ames'  report. 

[Signed]  ALFRED  H.  TERRY,  Maj.  Gen. 

To  BRIG  GEN.  J.  A.  RAWLINS,  Chief  of  Staff,  City  Point,  Va. 

From  Gen.  Ames'  report  is  extracted  as  follows  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  2o  DIVISION,  24TH  A.  C.,  FORT  FISHER,   N.  C., 

January  16,  1865. 
To  CAPT.  A.  TERRY,  Ass't  Adjt.  Gen. 

I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  late  movements  and 
operations  of  this  division.  *  *  * 

At  3  P.  M.,  on  the  15th,  we  stormed  Fort  Fisher.  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  N.  M. 
Curtis'  brigade  (the  first)  made  a  lodgment  on  the  northwest  angle  of  the  fcrt. 
I  immediately  ordered  up  Col.  G.  Pennypacker's  brigade  (the  second).  The 
enemy  were  at  once  driven  from  the  palisading  extending  from  the  fort  to  the 
river  and  about  one-third  of  the  work — its  northwest  angle — occupied  by  us.  I 
then  ordered  up  Col.  L.  Bell's  brigade  (the  third),  and  moved  it  forward  against 
and  in  rear  of  the  sea  face  of  the  work,  the  ground  being  much  obstructed  by 
the  ruins  of  the  barracks,  lumber  and  other  rubbish;  and  the  enemy  being  pro 
tected  by  traverses,  and,  taking  advantage  of  the  cover  afforded  by  magazines, 
etc..  checked  our  advance.  Fighting  of  a  most  obstinate  character  continued 
until  after  dark,  during  which  time  we  made  considerable  advancement  on  the 
left  and  captured  about  four  hundred  prisoners. 

About  8  P.  M.,  Col.  Abbott,  with  his  brigade,  completed  the  occupation  of  the 
face  of  the  works  extending  from  the  ocean  to  the  river.  A  general  advance  was 
now  made  and  the  fort  occupied  without  opposition. 

The  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  this  division  was  most  gallant.  Aided 
by  the  fire  of  the  navy,  and  an  attacking  column  of  sailors  and  marines  along 
the  sea-beach,  we  were  able  to  pass  over  the  open  ground  in  front  of  the  fort, 
through  the  gaps  of  the  palisading  in  the  ditch  made  by  the  naval  fire,  and  finally 
to  carry  the  work. 

The  name  of  every  officer  and  man  engaged  in  this  desperate  conflict  should  be 
mentioned,  but  I  shall  at  present  only  be  able  to  give  you  a  few  of  the  most  con 
spicuous.  It  is  to  be  hoped  they  all  may  be  properly  rewarded.  *  *  * 
Col.  G.  Pennypacker.  commanding  2d  brigade,  was  seriously  wounded  while 
planting  the  colors  of  his  leading  regiment  (the  97th  P.  V.)  on  the  third  traverse 
of  the  work.  This  officer  was  surpassed  by  none;  his  absence  during  the  remain 
der  of  the  day  was  most  deeply  felt  and  seriously  regretted.  *  *  * 

I  here  submit  the  names  of  the  regimental  commanders,  and  to  them,  in  con 
nection  with  the  brigade  commanders,  is  the  credit  due  for  the  heroic  conduct  of 
their  men.  *  *  Regimental  commanders.  *  *  *  2d 

brigade.       *  *       Ninety-Seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  1st  Lieut. 

John  Wainwrigbt,  commanding. 

Copies  of  reports  of  the  brigade  commanders  will  be  forwarded.     In  them  will 
be  found  lists  of  officers  and  men  who  particularly  distinguished  themselves.     It 
is  recommended  that  medals  be  bestowed  upon  all  enlisted  men  mentioned. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

[Signed]  A.  AMES,  Brigadier  General  of  Volunteers 


1865.] 


PENNSYLVANIA     TKooPS    IN     ACTION     AT    I'oKT    HSIIl.i:. 


351 


From  a  published  official  account  of  the  casualties  at  Fort  Fisher 
this  table  is  taken: 


BRIGADES. 

KILLED. 

WOUNDED. 

MISSING. 

TOTAL. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Men. 

O.  &  Men. 

(Jen.  Curtis', 

2 

85 

18 

160 

9 

224 

Col.  Pennypacker's, 
Col   Bell's, 

7 
2 

24 
15 

15 
4 

183 
105 

72 

301 
126 

Col.  Abbott's, 

3 

2 

18 

11 

34 

Aggregate, 

11             77 

39 

466 

92 

685 

The  foregoing  reports  show  that  the  assault  was  one  of  the  most 
brilliant,  successful  and  important  occurrences  of  the  war.     It  may 
appear  strange,  however,  that  in  most  of  the  published  accounts  of 
this,  as  well  as  other  important  operations  of  the  war,  the  presence 
and    participation    of    Pennsylvania    troops   has    been    so    entirely 
ignored.     To  those  familiar  with  the  forces  mentioned  in  these  offi 
cial  papers,  it  is  evident  that  Pennsylvania  troops  and  Pennsylvania 
valor  contributed  largely  to  the  brilliant   success  at  Fort  Fisher. 
The  2d  brigade — composed  of  the  76th,  97th  and  203d  P.  V.,  with 
the  47th  and  48th  N.  Y.,  and  commanded  by  a  gallant  son  of  that 
grand  old  commonwealth,  nurtured  in   the   lap  of  Valley  Forge, 
Col.  Galusha  Pennypacker — was  engaged,  during  the  interval  after 
landing  and  preceding  the  assault,  in  opening  and  establishing  a 
defensive  line,   across  the  peninsula,   to   guard   the   rear   of  Gen. 
Terry's  forces;  and,  at  the  time  of  moving  upon  the  enemy's  works, 
being  second  in  the  advance,  followed  rapidly  and  closely  after  the 
leading  brigade  in  every  movement  and  at  the  moment  of  reaching 
the  fort  its  lines  merged  with  and  extended  beyond  the  flank  of  the 
former.     It  entered  with  the  first  brigade  into  the  terrific  contest 
that  ensued  and  continued  with  unabated  fury  until  the  final  triumph 
and  occupation  of  the  enemy's  works.     The  colors  of  three  Penn 
sylvania  regiments  were  firmly  planted  upon  the  parapets  amid  a 
shower  of  leaden  hail   that  swept  down  all  the  brigade  and  regi 
mental  commanders  and  many  officers  and  men  of  those  well-tried 
veteran  regiments.     From  these  reports,  too,  it  is  seen  that  Penny- 
packer's   brigade    suffered    most,    having    the    largest   number   of 
casualties  and  nearly  double  the   number  of  officers  killed  of  the 
remaining  force  engaged. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  to  claim  for  Pennsylvania  soldiers  or  Penn 
sylvania  regiments  a  monopoly  of  the  valor  displayed,  but  simply 


352  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

to  protest  that  the  record  of  that  brilliant  affair  should  not  always 
be  presented  as  the  result  of  the  bravery  and  valor  of  the  troops 
accredited  to  the  States  of  New  England  and  New  York,  with 
scarcely  a  recognition  of  the  existence  of  the  gallant  regiments 
named  from  Pennsylvania,  or  of  their  brigade  commander,  in  any 
appreciative  estimate  of  the  distinguished  share  both  they  and  he 
bore  in  that  brilliant  action. 

The  number  of  Pennsylvania  soldiers  in  the  field  and  their  real 
achievements  bear  a  singular  disproportion  to  the  place  assigned  to 
them  or  their  State,  in  certain  journalistic  reports  of  the  most  pro 
minent  events  of  the  war.  It  seems  that,  in  monopolizing  the  lite 
rature  of  the  war,  the  localities  referred  to  have  deemed  it  justifiable 
to  appropriate  the  lion's  share  of  the  valor  and  the  fruits  of  victory 
as  well. 

Admiral  Porter,  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  says: 

*  *  *  It  will  not  be  amiss  for  me  to  remark  here  that  I  never  saw 
anything  like  the  fearless  gallantry  and  endurance  displayed  by  our  troops.  They 
fought  like  lions  and  knew  no  such  word  as  fail.  Th«y  finally  fought  and  chased 
the  rebels  from  traverse  to  traverse  until  they  reached  Battery  Lamb,  at  the 


MOUND    BATTERY,    NEAR    FORT    FISHER. 

mound,  a  face  of  work  extending  about  fourteen  hundred  yards  in  length.  At 
this  point  the  rebels  broke  and  fled  to  the  end  of  Federal  Point ;  our  troops  fol 
lowed  them  up  and  they  surrendered  at  discretion. 

*  *  *  I  have  visited  Fort  Fisher  and  its  adjoining  works  and 
found  their  strength  greatly  beyond  what  I  had  conceived.  An  engineer  might 
be  excusable  in  saying  they  could  not  be  captured,  except  by  regular  siege.  I 
wonder  even  now  how  it  was  done.  *  *  *  The  works  are  tre 
mendous.  I  was  in  the  Malakoff  Tower,  a  few  days  after  its  surrender  to  the 
French  and  British.  The  combined  armies  of  those  two  nations  were  many 
months  capturing  that  stronghold,  and  it  will  not  compare,  either  in  size  or 
strength,  to  Fort  Fisher,  and  yet  the  latter  was  captured  by  a  handful  of  men, 


1865.]     THANKS  OF  THE  NATION  TENDERED  BY  SECRETARY  STANTON.       353 

under  the  fire  of  the  guns  of  the  fleet,  and  in  seven   hours  after  the  attack  com 
menced  in  earnest.         *         *         * 

The  world  never  saw  such  fighting  us  our  soldiers  did. 

The  capture  of  Fort  Fisher  was  an  event  of  the  war  that  thrilled 
the  country  as  did  the  victories  at  Vicksburg  and  Gettysburg,  in 
spiring  the  heart  of  the  nation  with  renewed  courage  and  hope. 

The  Secretary  of  War,  who  had  come  down  to  observe  the  issue 
pending,  was  on  the  steam  transport  S.  R.  Spaulding,  in  the  offing, 
an  eye  witness  to  the  desperate  conflict  and  of  the  unprecedented 
perseverance  and  daring  that,  at  length,  triumphed  over  the  most 
obstinate  and  persistent  defence  of  a  work  so  formidable  as  has  been 
described.  He  personally  congratulated  Admiral  Porter  and  Gen. 
Terry  on  the  day  following  and,  in  the  name  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  tendered  the  thanks  of  the  nation  to  those  officers, 
and  the  gallant  officers  and  men  of  their  respective  commands,  for 
the  valor  and  skill  that  had  been  crowned  with  such  signal  success. 

On  the  17th,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  ordered  a  national  salute 
to  be  fired,  at  each  of  the  government  navy  yards,  in  honor  of  the 
great  victory.  Gen.  Grant  also  ordered  a  salute  of  one  hundred 
guns  by  each  of  the  armies  along  the  entire  line  operating  against 
Richmond  and  Petersburg,  Va. 

In  a  letter  to  the  President,  giving  an  account  of  the  assault, 
Secretary  Stanton  says: 

*  *         The  assault  on  the  other  and  most  difficult  side  of  the  fort 

was  made  by  a  column  of  three  thousand  troops  of  the  old    10th  Corps,  led  by 
Gen.  Curtis,  under  the  immediate  superintendence  of  Gen.  Terry.      *         *         * 

The  conflict  lasted  for  seven  hours;  the  works  were  so  constructed  that  every 
traverse  afforded  the  enemy  a  new  defensive  position  from  which  they  had  to  be 
driven.  *  *  * 

Gen.  Curtis  was  severely  wounded;  Col.  Pennypacker  was  badly  wounded; 
Col.  Bell  died  of  his  wounds,  on  Monday  morning,  the  day  after  the  action;  Col. 
J.  W.  Moore  and  Lieut.  Col.  Lyman  were  killed;  Lieut.  Col.  Coan  was  badly 
wounded.  *  *  * 

You  will  be  pleased  to  know  that  perfect  harmony  and  concert  of  action  existed 
between  the  land  and  naval  forces  and  their  respective  commanders.  Admiral 
Porter  and  Gen.  Terry  vied  in  their  commendation  each  of  the  other.  Each 
seemed  more  anxious  to  do  justice  to  the  other  than  to  claim  anything  for  him 
self,  and  they  united  in  the  highest  commendation  of  the  naval  and  military 
officers  and  the  forces  engaged.  To  this  harmony  of  feeling  and  the  confident 
spirit  inspired  mny,  perhaps,  be  attributed,  in  some  degree,  the  success  of  our 
attack,  with  nearly  equal  numbers,  against  a  resolute  enemy  in  a  work  unsur 
passed,  if  ever  equalled,  in  strength,  and  which  Gen.  Beauregurd,  a  few  days 
before,  pronounced  impregnable.  *  * 

[Signed]  EDWIN  M.  STANTON. 


354 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[January, 


A  letter  from  an  officer  of  the  Regiment  thus  describes  the  part 
it  bore  in  this  memorable  assault: 

*  *  *  We  left  the  front,  north  of  the  James  River,  on  December  7, 
and  accompanied  the  Butler  expedition  to  this  place  and  returned  with  it  to  our 
old  camping  ground  at  Chapin's  Farm.  *  *  After  remaining  in 

camp  for  three  days,  again  embarked  with  Terry's  expedition  and  were  among 
the  first  to  land  on  Federal  Point,  on  January  13,  where  we  lay  two  days,  under 
the  towering  ramparts  and  frowning  guns  of  Fort  Fisher.  At  1  P.  M.,  on  Sunday, 
the  15th,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion  for  the  assault,  the  97th  P.  V.  being  in 
the  second  line,  at  five  hundred  yards  from  the  fort ;  marched  by  the  flank  coolly 
and  orderly,  and  filed  by  the  right  into  liae  of  battle  across  the  open  plain,  in 
front  of  the  fort,  which  was  swept  by  grape  and  canister  from  every  gun  not 
disabled  by  the  fire  of  the  navy.  Here  we  lay  down,  and,  while  awaiting  orders 
to  charge,  threw  up  such  protection  as  we  could  by  digging  with  our  hands  into 
the  sand,  for  we  had  left  tin  cups  and  plates  in  the  rear.  The  gallant  Regiment, 
with  which  I  feel  proud  to  claim  a  connection,  went  into  action  in  neat  fighting 
trim  and  bore  itself  throughout  the  assault  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the  highest 
encomiums.  *  *  *  We  had  not  long  to  lie  under  the  withering 
shower  of  iron,  for  the  1st  brigade  suddenly  sprang  up  and,  with  a  yell,  advanced 
upon  the  fort.  This  was  the  signal  for  the  second  line,  which  moved  forward 
with  a  bound  and  soon  overtook  the  1st  brigade  and,  with  them,  clambered  up 
the  steep  walls  of  the  fort,  led  by  our  gallant  Col.  Penny  packer,  who  commanded 
the  brigade  and  to  whose  coolness,  bravery  and  skill  it  is  indebted  for  its 
efficiency. 

We  entered  the  west  end  of  the  fort  and  captured  a  number  of  prisoners  at 
once,  but  the  greater  number  of  the  enemy  seemed  disinclined  to  surrender. 
Then  ensued  a  hand-to-hand  conflict,  which,  for  desperation  and  determination, 


INTERIOR    OF    FORT    FISHER. 


has  not  been  surpassed  since  this  war  began.  A  series  of  traverses,  each  a  fort 
itself,  were  charged  and  recharged,  and  for  seven  long  hours  the  two  armies 
fought  furiously  inside  the  fort.  And  not  until  10  P.  M.  were  the  rebels  finally 
subdued  and  forced  to  surrender,  which  was  greeted  with  deafening  cheers  by  the 
tired  and  weary  soldiers  and  a  display  of  hundreds  of  rockets  by  the  naval  fleet. 

Among  the  guns  captured  was  a  splendid  one-lmndred-and-fifty- 
pounder  Armstrong,  presented  to  the  rebels  by  English  friends.  It 
had  the  broad  anow  on  it,  and  Sir  William  Armstrong's  name 


>i;"  THE   CASUALTIES    AT    FORT    FISI1ER.  '->'>'» 

marked  on  the  trunnion.  The  solid  mahogany  carriage  was  partially 
destroyed  by  fire. 

Gen.  Terry's  loss  was  one  hundred  and  ten  killed  and  five  hun 
dred  and  thirty-six  wounded.  Brig.  Gen.  Curtis,  commanding  1st 
brigade,  Ames'  division,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  head ;  Col. 
Pennypacker,  commanding  2d  brigade,  was  dangerously  wounded 
in  the  right  hip,  and  Col.  Bell,  commanding  3d  brigade,  was  mor 
tally  wounded  and  died  next  day. 

The  following  additional  officers  of  the  division  were  killed  or 
mortally  wounded:  Col.  John  F.  Smith,  112th  N.  Y.;  Capt.  John 
F.  Thomas,  117  N.  Y.;  Capt.  James  M.  Elliott,  142d  N.  Y.;  Capt. 
James  W.  Dunn,  48th  N.  Y.;  1st  Lieut.  Stephen  S.  Olney,  115th 
N.  Y.;  Capt.  Thomas  L.  McGlathery,  76th  P.  V.  Col.  John  W. 
Moore,  Lieut.  Col.  Jonas  W.  Lyman,  Capt.  Jacob  T.  Small  wood  and 
1st  Lieut.  Matthias  Hart,  all  of  the  203d  P.  V.,  were  killed. 

A  large  number  of  other  officers  of  the  division  were  wounded, 
many  of  them  quite  severely. 

In  the  assault  upon  Fort  Fisher,  the  officers  and  men  of  the  97th 
P.  V.  gallantly  sustained  its  well-earned  reputation  for  reliability 
and  valor  in  charging  upon  the  enemy's  most  formidable  works. 
Of  eight  officers  and  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  men  who  partici 
pated  in  the  action,  one  officer  and  five  men  were  killed.  The  re 
maining  seven  officers  and  thirty-two  men  were  wounded,  as  follows: 
field  and  staff,  one  officer  wounded;  Company  A,  two  men 
wounded;  Company  B,  three  men  wounded;  Company  C,  two  men 
killed,  one  officer  and  five  men  wounded;  Company  D,  one  officer 
killed,  one  officer  and  four  men  wounded;  Company  E,  three  men 
wounded;  Company  F,  one  man  killed,  one  officer  and  three  men 
wounded;  Company  G,  one  man  killed,  one  officer  and  one  man 
wounded,  officer  mortally;  Company  H,  two  officers  and  three  men 
wounded,  one  of  the  latter  mortally;  Company  I,  one  man  killed, 
one  officer  and  six  men  wounded;  Company  K,  two  men  wounded. 
Total:  killed,  one  officer  and  five  men  ;  wounded,  seven  officers  and 
thirty-two  men.  Aggregate,  forty-five  officers  and  men. 

Col.  Pennypacker  fell  just  after  he  had  placed  the  colors  of  his 
leading  regiment,  the  97th  P.  V.,  on  the  parapet.  It  was  the  first 
regimental  flag  on  the  enemy's  works.  The  117th  N.  Y.,  of  the 
1st  brigade,  had  planted  a  small  guidon  on  the  slope  of  the  work  so 
as  to  extend  above  the  parapet;  but  Col.  Pennypacker  planted  the 
colors  of  his  Regiment  squarely  on  the  parapet,  amid  a  shower  of 


356  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [January, 

bullets,  and  was  immediately  followed  by  Col.  John  W.  Moore,  of 
the  203d  P.  V.,  with  the  colors  of  his  regiment.  The  flag  of  the 
97th  P.  V.  was  pierced  by  one  hundred  and  seven  bullets  and  a 
canister  shot,  and  its  staff  cut  in  two  in  the  action.  The  color 
bearer,  Corp.  William  McCarty,  Company  D,  was  also  severely 
wounded  in  the  knee.  Col.  Pennypacker  was  immediately  carried 
to  the  rear  by  his  men.  He  was  subsequently  removed  to  Chesa 
peake  Hospital. 

John  "VVainwright,  1st  lieutenant  Company  F,  commanding  llegi- 
ment,  received  a  slight  grape-shot  wound  in  the  right  shoulder, 
before  reaching  the  fort,  but  remained  on  duty.  Capt.  Henry 
Odiorne,  Company  D,  a  brave  and  efficient  officer,  just  promoted, 
was  killed  while  leading  his  company  in  the  assault.  His  remains 
were  subsequently  sent  home  by  his  brother,  1st  Sergt:  David  W. 
Odiorne,  same  company.  1st  Lieut.  Cheyney  T.  Haines,  Company 
G,  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  thigh  and  died  in  hospital,  at  New 
York,  two  weeks  later.  This  was  the  third  time  he  had  been 
wounded  in  action.  1st  Lieut.  Leonard  R.  Thomas,  Company  C, 
commanding  company,  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  but  re 
mained  on  duty  and  was  soon  after  detailed  as  acting  adjutant,  in 
place  of  Lieut.  Smedley.  2d  Lieut.  Isaac  B.  Taylor,  Company  D, 
was  wounded  in  the  shoulder  and  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Fortress 
Monroe.  1st  Lieut.  Theodore  M.  Smedley,  Company  H,  acting  ad 
jutant,  was  also  severely  wounded  in  the  right  arm  and  side  and 
sent  to  hospital  at  same  place,  and  1st  Lieut.  George  W.  Duffee, 
Company  I,  was  slightly  wounded  in  right  leg.  Many  narrowly 
escaped.  The  clothes  of  several  of  the  men  were  pierced  by  bullets 
without  causing  other  injury  than  slight  scratches  and  burns. 

The  War  Department  soon  after  conferred  brevet  promotion  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  service,  at  Fort  Fisher,  upon  the  following 
officers  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865,  viz.:  Col.  G. 
Pennypacker,  as  brevet  brigadier  general  and  brevet  major  general, 
U.  S.  Vols.,  to  rank  from  January  lo,  1865;  1st  Lieut.  John  Wain- 
wright,  Company  F,  as  captain  and  major;  1st  Lieut.  Leonard  11. 
Thomas,  Company  C;  1st  Lieut.  Cheyney  T.  Haines  (died  of  his 
wounds),  Company  G,  and  1st.  Lieut.  Theodore  M.  Smedley,  Com 
pany  H,  all  as  captains. 

After  the  surrender  of  Fort  Fisher,  the  97th  P.  V.  occupied  a 
position  near  the  chief  magazine,  where  it  remained  until  the  morn 
ing  of  the  16th,  when  it  was  removed  a  short  distance  and  another 


1865-1  BREVET   PROMOTIONS   BY    THE    WAR    DEPARTMENT.  357 

regiment  took  its  place.  Within  an  hour  the  magazine  exploded 
with  disastrous  effect.  About  one  hundred  and  eighty  soldiers  and 
sailors  were  killed  or  severely  wounded.  The  Regiment  narrowly 
escaped  the  calamity,  which  was  supposed  to  be  accidental. 

During  the  16th  and  17th  of  January,  the  enemy  abandoned  and 
blew  up  Fort  Caswell,  which  stood  upon  a  point  of  land  across 
and  commanded  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  River.  They  also  aban 
doned  the  extensive  works  at  Smithville  and  Reves  Point.  These 
places  were  immediately  occupied  by  the  Union  troops,  thus  obtain 
ing  entire  control  of  the  entrance  to  Cape  Fear  River.  The  enemy 
had  fallen  back  to  Fort  Anderson  and  Wilmington,  as  the  Union 
forces  accumulated  in  their  front.  Those  points  were  held  witli 
great  determination  by  the  rebel  commander,  Gen.  Bragg.  Gen. 
Terry  now  held  a  strongly-intrenched  line  across  the  peninsula, 
bounded  by  the  ocean  and  Cape  Fear  River;  also,  occupied  Smith- 
villc  and  Fort  Caswell,  with  his  flanks  covered  by  the  fleet  under 
Rear  Admiral  Porter. 

Fort  Anderson,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  was  a  strong  earth 
work,  with  a  collateral  line,  strongly  fortified,  running  to  a  large 
swamp,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  distant.  The  enemy  main 
tained,  also,  a  line  on  the  peninsula,  north  of  and  confronting  Terry's 
position,  extending  from  Cape  Fear  River  to  Masonboro'  or  Myrtle 
Sound.  Their  position  was  impregnable  to  a  direct  attack,  and 
could  only  be  turned  by  crossing  Myrtle  Sound  above  their  left 
wing  or  passing  around  the  swamp  which  covered  their  right. 

The  movement  upon  Wilmington,  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Fisher, 
was  necessarily  delayed  until  Gen.  Terry's  forces  could  be  aug 
mented  by  additional  troops. 

The  97th  P.  V.  had  been  engaged,  with  the  other  troops,  in  re 
storing  order  to  the  environs  of  that  place;  subsequently,  in  move 
ments  to  reconnoitre  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  and 
in  throwing  up  earthworks  for  the  protection  of  the  troops  as  they 
advanced  upon  the  lines  of  the  enemy. 

George  W.  Duflee,  1st  lieutenant  Company  I,  was  now  the  only 
company  officer  present  for  duty.  The  following  had  received  com 
missions  and  were  awaiting  muster  as  1st  lieutenants:  Dallas  Crow, 
Company  B;  David  W.  Odiorne,  Company  D;  Phares  P.  Brown, 
Company  H,  and  William  S.  Underwood,  Company  K;  George  W. 
Middleton,  Company  I,  as  2d  lieutenant. 

The   remainder  of  the   division,  at    Chapin's    Farm,  Va.,  com- 


358  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

manded  by  Col.  G.  Fred.  Granger,  of  the  9th  Maine,  left  Virginia 
about  February  9,  and  reached  Federal  Point  about  the  10th. 

Lieut.  Martin,  Company  A,  rejoined  the  Regiment  with  his 
detachment  at  Fort  Fisher,  about  the  llth,  having  in  the  mean 
time  been  mustered  as  captain.  He  thereupon  assumed  command 
of  the  Regiment  as  ranking  officer.  Lieut.  Wainwright  was  now 
assigned  to  duty  as  acting  adjutant,  relieving  Lieut.  Thomas,  Com 
pany  C.  He  continued  to  perform  the  duties  of  adjutant  until  mus 
tered  as  lieutenant  colonel  in  April,  when  he  resumed  command  of 
the  Regiment. 

Maj.  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield,  commanding  the  23d  Corps,  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  having  been  detached  with  his  corps  from  Maj. 
Gen.  George  H.  Thomas'  command,  after  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  ordered  to  report  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  was  then  ordered 
to  the  command  of  the  new  department  of  Virginia  and  North  Caro 
lina.  He  landed  with  his  corps  at  Federal  Point  on  February  9. 

The  land  force  was  thus  increased  to  about  twenty-one  thousand 
men.  Gen.  Terry  had  so  admirably  arranged  his  lines  as  to  secure 
every  available  position  from  which  to  advance  upon  Hoke  in  his 
front,  and  was  now  ready  to  move  forward.  Gen.  Schofield  ordered 
a  reconnoissance  in  force  on  the  morning  of  February  11.  The  23d 
Corps,  having  experienced  the  fatigue  of  a  long  and  stormy  sea 
voyage,  was  held  in  reserve  while  Gen.  Terry's  troops  led  the  ad 
vance.  The  97th  P.  V.  marched  with  Terry's  command  toward  the 
enemy's  position.  Abbott's  brigade  and  Col.  John  W.  Ames'  (6th 
U.  S.  Colored  Troops)  brigade  on  the  right,  while  Gen.  Ames' 
old  division  held  the  centre,  and  joined  the  brigade  of  Col.  Elias 
Wright  (10th  U.  S.  Colored  Troops),  of  Paine's  division,  on  the  left, 
which  reached  to  the  river;  Battery  E,  3d  U.  S.  Art'y,  1st  Lieut. 
John  R.  Myrick,  also  supporting  the  left.  Skirmishing  commenced 
soon  after  leaving  our  lines.  The  gunboats  opened  fire  upon  the 
enemy's  position  with  marked  effect;  part  of  the  fleet  moved  cau 
tiously  up  the  river  to  within  half  a  mile  of  Fort  Anderson.  Paine's 
force  became  actively  engaged  about  9  A.  M.,  yet  continued  to  ad 
vance  steadily  upon  the  enemy's  intrenched  lines.  Several  prisoners 
were  captured  as  the  troops  advanced.  The  enemy's  first  and  second 
lines  were  carried  by  11  A.  M.,  and  their  force  driven  behind  their 
main  works.  The  fire  of  the  naval  fleet  now  enabled  Paine's  force 
to  intrench  a  new  line  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's 
position. 


18«5.1  ADVANCE    UPON    FORT    ANDERSON    AND    WILMINGTON.  359 

Meanwhile,  Ames'  division,  supported  by  the  3d  division  of  the 
'23d  Corps,  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Jacob  1).  Cox,  was  advancing 
against  tbe  enemy's  left,  and  at  the  same  time  attempting  to  throw 
a  heavy  force  across  Myrtle  Sound  in  rear  of  Hoke's  position,  by 
means  of  navy  boats  and  pontoons  taken  across  the  narrow  strip  of 
land  by  the  troops  moving  along  the  ocean  beach.  A  severe  storm, 
however,  prevented  the  boats  from  reaching  the  position. 

The  enemy  skirmished  sharply  along  the  line  of  Myrtle  Sound, 
but  a  sudden  dash  of  the  3d  N.  H.,  led  by  Maj.  William  H.  Trickey, 
through  an  almost  impenetrable  thicket  and  swamp,  carried  their 
first  line,  completely  flanking  the  force  occupying  it,  and  captured 
about  sixty  men. 

The  object  of  the  rcconnoissance  had  been  accomplished  by  4  P. 
M.,  a  position  had  been  secured  nearly  two  miles  in  advance  of  that 
previously  held  and  within  seventeen  miles  of  Wilmington,  having 
sustained  a  very  small  loss  in  killed  and  about  fifty  wounded. 

On  February  13,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  temporarily  transferred  from 
the  2d  to  the  1st  brigade  (Gen.  Curtis'),  now  commanded  by  Col. 
Rufus  Daggett,  of  the  117th  N.  Y.  With  the  brigade  it  had  re 
turned  to  its  former  camp,  near  Fort  Fisher.  For  a  few  days,  the 
weather  was  very  stormy  with  violent  winds,  rendering  active  mili 
tary  movements  impracticable. 

It  was  intended  to  renew  the  attempt  to  cross  Myrtle  Sound,  on 
the  night  of  the  14th,  by  carrying  the  boats  along  the  beach,  but 
the  high  winds  had  so  raised  the  tide  as  to  render  it  impracticable 
to  cross  at  a  time  to  enable  the  sound  to  be  reached  before  daylight, 
when  the  movement  would  be  observed  and  frustrated.  Had  not 
this  circumstance  prevented,  Hoke  would  have  found  a  heavy  force 
between  him  and  Wilmington. 

The  subsequent  movements  against  Wilmington,  as  given  in  Gen. 
Schofield's  report,  furnish  the  best  account  that  can  be  obtained  of 
the  services  in  which  the  97th  P.  V,  participated  at  that  time. 
The  report  says: 

*  *  *  On  the  15th,  Cox's  division  of  the  23d  Corps,  and  Ames'  of 
the  10th  Corps,  crossed  over  to  Smith ville,  w.here  they  were  joined  hy  Moore's 
brigade  of  Couch's  division,  23d  Corps,  which  had  just  landed.  This  force  ad 
vanced  along  the  main  road,  to  Wilmington,  skirmishing  with  the  enemy's  pickets 
and  advanced  lines,  until  the  main  force  of  the  enemy  was  encountered,  at  Fort 
Anderson  and  its  adjacent  works.  Here  two  brigades  of  Cox's  division  were 
intrenched  to  occupy  the  enemy,  while  Cox's  other  two  brigades  and  Ames'  di 
vision  moved  around  the  swamp,  which  covered  the  enemy's  right,  in  order  to 


360  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

strike  the  Wilmington  Road  in  the  rear  and  north  of  the  fort.  The  distance  to 
be  marched  was  about  fifteen  miles.  The  enemy,  finding  himself  in  danger  of 
being  flanked — his  cavalry  having  discovered  this  movement — hastily  abandoned 
his  works,  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  during  the  night  of  February  19,  and  fell 
back  behind  Town  Creek,  on  the  west,  and  beyond  a  line  of  swamp  in  a  corre 
sponding  position  on  the  east.  Fort  Anderson  and  its  adjacent  defences,  with  ten 
pieces  of  artillery  and  a  large  amount  of  ammunition  thus  fell  into  our  hands, 
and  the  approaches  to  Wilmington  were  still  further  weakened. 

On  the  20th,  Gen.  Cox's  forces  pursued  the  enemy  to  Town  Creek,  behind 
which  he  was  found  intrenched,  having  destroyed  the  only  bridge.  Gen.  Cox's 
forces,  making  a  detour,  crossed  Town  Creek,  below  the  rebel  position,  and 
reaching  their  flanks  and  rear,  attacked  and  routed  the  enemy,  capturing  two 
pieces  of  artillery  and  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  prisoners.  The  next  morn 
ing,  he  pushed  on  toward  Wilmington  without  opposition. 

Gen.  Terry,  who  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  Cape  Fear  River,  also  found  the 
enemy  in  strong  force  in  his  new  position.  Gen.  Ames'  division  was  brought 
over  to  the  east  side,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Terry,  on  the  night  of  February  19. 
Gen.  Terry  could  not  make  as  rapid  progress,  but  he  held  all  of  Hoke's  force  in 
his  front  and  prevented  them  from  reinforcing  the  troops  which  Cox  was  driving 
before  him.  Cox  reached  Brunswick  River  in  the  afternoon,  and,  opening  fire 
upon  the  enemy  on  Eagle  Island,  caused  them  to  burn  the  railway  bridge  and 
cut  adrift  the  pontoon  bridge,  setting  it  on  fire  at  the  same  time.  Securing  a 
few  of  the  pontoons,  Gen.  Cox  promptly  crossed  to  Eagle  Island,  skirmishing 
and  establishing  outposts  on  the  causeway  over  the  swamp,  and  within  musket 
range  of  the  wharves  of  the  city  of  Wilmington.  The  rebels  opened  fire  upon 
them  with  two  Whitworth  guns,  but  Cox's  troops  soon  brought  up  their  ar 
tillery  and  threw  several  shell  into  the  city,  silencing  the  rebel  fire. 

The  enemy  continued  to  menace  Gen.  Terry's  position  during  the  afternoon 
and  evening  of  the  21st.  During  the  night,  they  set  fire  to  the  property  of  the 
rebel  government,  consisting  of  a  large  amount  of  cotton,  rosin,  extensive  cotton 
sheds  and  presses,  unfinished  iron-clads,  three  large  turpentine  distilleries  and 
the  adjacent  wharves,  railroad  bridges  and  pontoon  bridges,  and  abandoned  the 
city,  retreating  toward  Goldsboro.  *  *  * 

During  the,  night  of  the  21st,  Ames'  division  moved  upon  the 
enemy's  position  at  Battery  Strong  and  had  a  sharp  encounter.  By 
the  aid  of  Porter's  fleet,  the  enemy  were  driven  out,  and  the  works, 
including  nine  guns,  captured. 

Our  forces  entered  and  took  possession  of  the  city  at  9  A.  M.  on 
February  22,  thus  celebrating  Washington's  Birthday.  Few  citi 
zens  left  the  city  except  sucli  as  the  enemy  forced  to  enter  the  ranks 
and  follow  the  retreating  army.  All  able-bodied  men  hid  them 
selves,  but,  as  soon  as  the  Union  forces  entered,  thronged  the  streets. 
The  ladies  were  also  out  in  force,  and  the  negroes  crowded  all  the 
avenues.  Not  a  symptom  of  animosity  was  displayed  by  man, 
woman  or  child.  The  Union  feeling  manifested  itself  quite  strongly 


1B65-1  THE   OCCUPATION   OF   WILMINGTON.  361 

in  the  city.  American  flags  were  brought  out  and  suspended  over 
doors  and  from  windows.  As  he  entered  the  suburbs  of  the  city, 
Gen.  Terry  was  met  by  a  city  policeman  carrying  a  white  rlag,  who 
informed  the  general  he  was  authorized  by  the  mayor  to  surrender 
the  city  to  the  authorities  of  the  United  States.  Gen.  Terry  referred 
the  truce  bearer  to  Maj.  Gen.  Schoficld,  who  was  then  entering  the 
city.  That  officer  rode  to  the  city  hall,  where  he  was  ivaited  on  by 
the  mayor  and  some  of  the  city  fathers.  They  were  willing  and 
ready  to  give  up  all  their  municipal  functions. 

Gen.  Sohofield  told  them  to  continue  in  the  exercise  of  their 
powers  for  the  good  of  the  city;  that  it  was  not  his  intention  to  in 
terfere  with  the  civil  government  more  than  rould  be  avoided,  but 
that  he  expected  the  inhabitants  to  conduct  themselves  as  becoming 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  to  respect  the  representatives  and  de 
fenders  of  the  National  Government,  to  abide  by  its  laws  and  not 
give  aid  and  comfort  to  its  enemies.  The  Mayor,  John  Dorson,  Esq., 
assured  the  general  that  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  the  majority 
of  the  inhabitants  were  loyal  and  union-loving.  Gen.  Schofield 
appointed  a  provost  marshal,  and  guards  were  at  once  stationed 
through  the  city  to  preserve  order  and  prevent  excesses.  The  in 
habitants  of  all  ages,  sex  and  color  came  from  the  houses  into  the 
streets,  waving  their  hats  and  handercliiefs,  and  with  words  of  greet 
ing  and  welcome:  "We  have  been  looking  for  you  for  a  long  time!". 
"You  have  got  here  at  last."  "God  bless  you,"  and  many  like  ex 
pressions.  One  ancient  dame  greeted  Gen.  Terry  and  his  staff  with 
expressions  of  glad  satisfaction,  saying:  "When  I  first  seed  you,  I 
thought  you  was  confedrct  officers  come  looking  up  tobacco." 

The  colored  people  seemed  beside  themselves  with  joy.  All  the 
hotels,  and  nearly  all  the  stores,  were  closed,  and  the  general  ap 
pearance  of  the  city  indicated  that  the  enemy  had  been  evacuating 
for  several  days.  They  had  destroyed  about  one  thousand  bales  of 
cotton  and  fifteen  thousand  barrels  of  rosin,  but  a  large  portion  re 
mained. 

Fifty  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance1,  fifteen  light  pieces,  and  a  large 
amount  of  ammunition  were  captured;  about  forty  thousand  bales 
of  cotton  were  also  secured. 

The  Union  loss,  from  February  1 1  until  Wilmington  was  occupied 
on  the  22d,  was  not  over  two  hundred,  officers  and  men,  in  killed 
and  wounded,  while  that  of  the  rebels  was  not  less  than  one  thou 
sand  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 


362  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.          [February, 

About  four  hundred  Union  prisoners,  that  had  been  brought  to 
Wilmington  for  exchange,  and  which  the  rebels  could  not  get  away 
again,  as  Gens.  Schofield  and  Terry  were  following  their  retreat  in 
close  pursuit,  were  now  liberated.  These  were  found  to  be  in  a 
most  pitiable  plight;  a  large  number  of  them  were  crowded  in  the 
hospitals  sick,  wounded  and  in  a  starving  condition,  most  heart 
rending  to  behold.  These  famished  soldiers  scarcely  knew  how  to 
give  vent  to  their  joy  at  the  arrival  of  the  Union  forces.  They 
danced,  and  sang,  and  wept,  and  hugged  their  old  comrades,  and  in 
every  way  manifested  their  gratitude  on  being  rescued  from  inevi 
table  starvation  and  death  to  be  again  restored  to  their  friends. 
This  meeting  was  of  the  most  touching  and  affecting  character. 
Among  them  were  a  number  of  the  97th  P.  V.  who  had  been 
captured  in  the  battles  in  front  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg.  They 
were  in  a  horribly  famished  condition.  The  only  names  that  can 
now  be  obtained  of  these  are  Privates  John  W.  Keeley  and  Alonzo 
Schuler,  both  veterans  of  Company  F,  captured  at  Strawberry  Plains, 
Va.,  August  16,  1864,  and  Private  John  O'Brine,  substitute,  Com 
pany  F,  who  had  been  marked  upon  the  rolls  missing  in  action  at 
Drury's  Bluff,  May  14,  1864.  He  was  now  found  a  prisoner  at 
Wilmington,  but  for  some  unexplained  cause  he  was  in  a  very  good 
condition,  not  having  suffered  from  starvation  like  most  of  the  un 
fortunates  who  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

A  Wilmington  correspondent  of  the  Herald,  after  the  evacuation 
of  the  city,  thus  writes  of  the  prisoners  released: 

The  Union  prisoners  had  been  confined  at  Camp  Lamb,  about  a  mile  from  the 
city.  Their  treatment  was  worthy  of  what  might  be  inflicted  by  fiends  from  hell. 
Though  the  arrangements  for  general  exchange  have  been  completed  at  Rich 
mond,  the  starving  process  goes  on.  For  three  days  before  the  evacuation  those 
prisoners  had  not  received  a  mouthful  to  eat.  To  the  credit  of  the  citizens,  many 
attempts  were  made  to  relieve  them;  but  the  food  was  in  all  cases  taken  from 
them  by  order  of  the  officer  in  command,  and  trodden  into  the  ground  before  the 
eyes  of  the  prisoners  and  the  citizens.  It  was  thought  that  four  hundred  were 
recovered ;  but  many  were  in  a  dying  condition.  All  that  has  appeared  in  the 
public  prints  in  regard  to  this  matter  utterly  fails  to  prepare  one  for  the  awful 
reality.  After  nerving  myself  for  the  visit,  and  trying  to  picture  all  the  horrors 
while  riding  slowly  over  the  half  mile  to  the  house  where  they  had  been  collected, 
my  brain  reeled  for  the  moment  when  the  sickening  reality  burst  upon  me.  Offi 
cers  came  in,  and  those  who  never  quailed  on  the  field  of  death,  whose  cheeks 
had  never  blanched,  there  stood  aghast,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  grinding  their 
teeth,  clenching  their  hands  and  thanking  God  that  there  was  a  hell.  Pale,  hag 
gard  and  emaciated  skeletons  glared  on  us  from  glassy  eyes  where  the  light  of 


1865 -1         RELEASE   OF   STARVING   AND   DYING   UNION   PRISONERS.          363 

reason  was  just  expiring.  With  matted  hair  and  skin  blackened  with  pine  smoke, 
scarcely  covered  with  the  filthiest  shreds  of  cast-off  rebel  clothing,  without 
blankets,  and  most  of  them  without  coats  and  shoes,  half  gazed  at  us  with  an  al 
most  idiotic  stare,  while  the  majority  could  with  difficulty  be  roused  from  their 
listlessness.  Many  had  forgotten  their  names;  some  could  be  roused  and  their 
memories  quickened  by  asking  them  of  their  homes,  their  wives  and  Children, 
these  magic  words  bringing  them  back  from  the  grave  into  which  they  were  sink 
ing  so  fast.  Many  were  dying  of  starvation,  with  their  hands  clutching  the  bread 
our  soldiers  had  brought  them,  and  as  they  lay  there  dying,  an  old  negro  woman 
passed  from  one  to  another,  tenderly  smoothing  their  awful  passage  to  the  grave. 
Knowing  that  the  authors  of  all  this  misery  had  escaped,  it  was  consoling  to 
repeat  "Vengeance  is  mine;  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord." 

Some  extracts  from  a  letter  of  an  officer  of  the  Regiment  will 
serve  to  indicate  that  the  97th  P.  V.  was  doing  its  share  of  the 
important  operations  succeeding  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher : 

*  The  invincible  army  of  Gen.  Terry  has  been  winning  new 
laurels,  and  the  Regiment,  which  proudly  represents  the  good  old  counties  of 
Chester  and  Delaware,  has  been  doing  its  share  of  duty,  braving  its  share  of 
danger  and  winning  its  share  of  glory.  We  remained  stationed  near  Fort 
Fisher  until  February  11,  when  we  struck  tents  and  marched  out  through  our 
lines.  Skirmishing  soon  commenced  and  continued  during  a  greater  part  of  the 
day.  Capt.  James  Scott,  47tb  N.  Y.,  of  Gen.  Penuypacker's  staff,  was  mortally 
wounded  and  died  soon  after — a  brave  soldier  lamented  by  all  in  his  brigade. 
The  enemy  was  driven  within  his  works  with  little  resistance.  During  the  night, 
our  troops  threw  up  temporary  works  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  their  posi 
tion,  where  we  held  them  and  prepared  for  advance  in  other  directions. 

*  *  After  a  rest  of  two  days,  commenced  a  series  of  marches 
and  counter-marches,  which  resulted  in  flanking  the  enemy  at  Fort  Anderson, 
causing  them  to  evacuate  their  almost  impregnable  works  and  beat  a  hasty 
scamper  in  the  direction  of  Wilmington.  We  gave  them  but  little  lime  to  rest, 
but  were  close  upon  their  heels  and  kept  "pegging,  pegging,  pegging  away"  at 
their  rear  until  they  reached  a  strong  line  of  works,  about  five  miles  from  the 
city,  where  they  rallied  and  made  a  show  of  resistance,  which  lasted  scarcely 
twelve  hours.  We  had  made  every  preparation  for  a  determined  assault  on  the 
22d  inst.,  and  were  fully  expecting  to  tak»  Wilmington  by  storm;  but,  when  all 
was  ready,  intelligence  reached  our  lines  that  the  enemy  were  evacuating.  Forth 
with  an  advance  was  ordered,  and,  on  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  Birthday, 
the  stars  and  stripes  were  borne  triumphantly  into  the  city  of  blockade  runners 
amid  a  great  display  of  Union  sentiment  and  a  seeming  welcome  by  the  citizens 
which  was  really  worth  fighting  for. 

*  The  casualties  of  the  Regiment   have  been  slight.      Lieut. 

Haines,  Company  G,  and  Sergt.  Bennett,  Company  H,  died  of  their  wounds, 
received  at  Fort  Fisher.  The  health  of  the  Regiment  is  good,  and  the  men 
all  eager  to  follow  the  retreating  foe ;  and  hoping  to  be  able  to  record  more 
triumphant  advances  and  decisive  victories  which  will  lead  to  a  speedy  close  of 
the  war.  *  *  * 


HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [March, 

The  defences  of  Wilmington  were  found  to  be  extensive  and  of 
great  strength,  consisting  of  several  formidable  lines  of  earthworks, 
one  of  which  ran  through  a  populous  street  in  the  city  and  appeared 
to  have  been  quite  recently  thrown  up  in  great  haste,  and  evidently 
intended  as  "  the  last  ditch."  The  river  was  obstructed  in  several 
places  by  chained  rafts  and  sunken  vessels.  Stockades  and  bat 
teries  had  been  built  on  the  shore,  with  the  guns  bearing  upon  the 
obstructions. 

Gen.  Terry's  troops,  after  entering  Wilmington,  pursued  the 
enemy  across  Northeast  River.  Gen.  Schofield  now  made  prepara 
tions  for  the  capture  of  Goldsboro',  leaving  Gen.  Terry's  command 
to  occupy  the  city  of  Wilmington.  He  had  already  sent,  by  trans 
ports,  to  Newbern,  five  thousand  troops,  under  Brig.  Gen.  I.  N. 
Palmer,  with  orders  to  move  toward  Kinston  at  once  to  cover  the 
workmen  engaged  in  repairing  the  railroad.  Palmer  was  soon  re 
lieved  of  the  command  by  Gen.  Cox.  Couch's  division  and  Cox's, 
temporarily  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Reilly,  were  ordered  to  join, 
by  a  land  march,  the  column  moving  from  Newbern.  Owing  to  the 
want  of  wagons  for  transportation,  it  was  not  until  March  6  that 
the  two  divisions,  commanded  by  Gen.  Couch,  could  be  moved  from 
Wilmington,  via  Onslow  and  Bichland,  toward  Kinston.  Cox  had 
joined  Palmer's  force  and  pushed  it  to  Wise's  Forks,  below  South 
west  Creek;  and  the  work  on  the  railroad  was  in  rapid  progress. 
The  force  in  front  of  Gen.  Cox,  consisting  of  Hoke's  division  and 
a  small  body  of  reserves,  had  fallen  back  behind  Southwest  Creek. 
Gen.  Cox  had  sent  two  regiments,  under  Col.  Upham,  15th  Conn.,  to 
secure  the  crossing  on  the  Dover  Road.  The  enemy,  reinforced  by 
a  portion  of  the  old  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  recrossed  the  creek 
above  the  Dover  Road  and  came  down  in  rear  of  Col.  Upham's 
position,  surprised  and  captured  nearly  his  entire  command — about 
seven  hundred  men.  Hoke  then  advanced  to  penetrate  between 
Gens.  Carter's  and  Palmer's  divisions,  occupying  the  Dover  Road 
and  the  railroad,  respectively,  but  was  checked  by  Gen.  Rugers' 
division  arriving  upon  the  field.  Gen.  Cox  was  then  directed  to 
put  his  troops  in  position,  intrench  them  securely  and  await  the 
arrival  of  Gen.  Couch. 

The  enemy  pressed  Cox's  lines  strongly,  on  the  9th,  and  felt  for 
his  flanks. 

On  the  10th,  largely  reinforced,  and  doubtless  aware  of  the  ap 
proach  of  Gen.  Couch's  column,  Hoke  made  a  firm  attack  upon 


1865.]  ADVANCE   TOWARD   GOLDSBORO'.       IIOKE    REPULSED.  365 

Gen.  Cox's  left  and  centre,  but  was  decisively  repulsed,  with  heavy 
loss,  and  retreated  in  eonl'usion  from  the  field,  leaving  his  killed 
and  wounded;  also  a  large  number  of  arms  and  intrenching  tools. 
During  the  night,  he  fell  back  across  the  Neuse  River  and  burned 
the  bridge.  Cox's  loss  was  about  three  hundred  in  killed  and 
wounded — that  of  the  enemy  about  ft  1  teen  hundred.  Gen.  Couch 
effected  his  junction  with  Gen.  Cox  on  the  following  day. 

It  now  became  necessary  to  rebuild  the  bridge,  or  await  the  ar 
rival  of  pontoons,  to  cross  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  By  the  14th, 
this  was  accomplished  and  the  crossing  effected  without  opposition, 
the  enemy  having  abandoned  Kinston  and  moved  rapidly  toward 
Smithfield,  to  join  Johnson's  Army,  then  concentrating  to  oppose 
Sherman's  advance  from  Fayetteville. 

Gen.  Terry's  command,  at  Wilmington,  was  occupied  with  the 
usual  post  and  garrison  duty.  The  97th  Hegiment  had  returned  to 
the  2d  brigade  of  the  division,  then  commanded  by  Col.  William  B. 
Coan,  48th  N.  Y. 

On  March  15,  Gen.  Terry  received  orders  to  join  Gen.  Schofield's 
advance,  about  to  form  a  junction  with  Gen.  Sherman's  Army,  then 
marching  upon  Goldsboro',  N.  C.  Col.  Abbott's  brigade  of  the  1st 
division,  l()th  Corps,  was  left  to  garrison  Wilmington,  Brig.  Gen. 
J.  R.  Ilawley  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  district. 

Terry  crossed  Cape  Fear  River  on  the  16th,  and  arrived  on  the 
17th  at  the  town  of  South  Washington,  situated  on  the  southeast 
branch  of  Cape  Fear  River. 

On  the  20th,  a  station  known  as  Mount  Olive,  on  the  Wilmington 
and  Gaston  Railroad,  was  reached.  The  97th  P.  V.  came  upon 
recently  evacuated  camps  of  the  17th  Corps,  a  part  of  Gen.  Sher 
man's  force,  where  it  encamped  for  the  night. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  the  march  was  resumed.  Ar 
rived  at  Cox's  Ferry,  on  the  Neuse  River,  and  encamped  about  3  P. 
M.  The  97th  P.  V.  occupied  the  property  of  a  Mr.  J.  H.  Kirk- 
ham,  his  stables  being  used  for  the  officers'  horses.  The  Regiment 
subsequently  reoccupied  these  quarters.  It  was  then  reported  that 
many  of  the  residents  of  this  vicinity  had  buried  much  valuable 
property  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Indi 
cations  were  noticed  of  the  stable  floors  having  been  recently  dis 
turbed;  some  men  of  the  Regiment  made  search  for  the  treasure; 
a  box  of  jewelry,  silverware  and  other  valuables  was  found,  of 
which  Col.  Wain wright  took  possession.  The  owner,  Mr.  Kirkham, 


366  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [April, 

manifested  much  anxiety  in  regard  to  the  occupancy  of  his  buildings. 
Discovering  that  the  box  had  been  removed,  he  made  inquiry  at 
head-quarters  in  regard  to  it.  His  claim  -to  the  property  being 
regarded  well  founded,  it  was  restored  to  him. 

Gen.  Schofield's  forces  had  inarched  from  Kinston  on  the  20th, 
and  occupied  Goldsboro',  with  but  slight  opposition,  on  the  evening 
of  the  21st.  Gen.  Terry's  command,  marching  from  the  direction  of 
Wilmington,  had  secured  Cox's  bridge  crossing,  and  laid  a  pontoon 
bridge  across  the  Neuse  River,  by  the  22d,  after  a  march  of  the 
most  extraordinary  character  of  more  than  seventy  miles,  over 
sivamps  and  rivers  deemed  impassable  to  others,  at  the  most  incle 
ment  season  of  the  year,  drawing  his  supplies  from  a  wasted  country. 
For  these  movements,  Gen.  Sherman,  in  Field  Orders  No.  35,  Head- 
Quarters  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi,  dated  in  the  field, 
near  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  March  22,  1865,  thanked  Gen.  Terry  and 
his  forces  for  the  efficiency  and  promptitude  of  their  co-operation. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  Gen.  Sherman's  Army  appeared,  coming  in 
on  the  left,  crossed  the  bridge  laid  by  Terry's  forces,  at  Cox's  Ferry, 
and  proceeded  toward  Goldsboro'.  Gen.  Terry's  forces  also  ad 
vanced,  leaving  the  10th  Corps  behind. 

On  the  23d,  at  7  A.  M.,  the  10th  Corps  returned,  marching 
over  the  route  by  which  they  came,  to  occupy  the  Wilmington  and 
Gaston  Railroad,  distant  about  fifteen  miles,  reaching  Faison's  Sta 
tion  in  the  evening,  where  the  97th  P.  V.  again  went  into  camp, 
very  tired  of  the  backward  march.  The  Regiment  remained  at  this 
place  nearly  three  weeks.  Four  hundred  and  three  recruits  and 
conscripts  were  here  received.  To  prepare  these  for  immediate 
active  service  required  constant  drill  during  every  interval  from 
other  duties  of  the  command. 

On  April  10,  Gen.  Terry's  forces  again  moved  upon  the  enemy's 
lines,  taking  the  route  toward  Bentonville. 

On  the  llth,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  detached  and  sent  back  to  assist 
Gen.  Kilpatrick's  wagon  train  through  the  mud.  It  remained  with 
the  train  as  an  escort  and  guard  during  the  march,  until  the  ad 
vance  lines  near  Raleigh  were  reached  on  April  16.  On  this  march 
the  Regiment  performed  most  arduous  service,  having  to  repair  and 
build  bridges  and  corduroy  roads,  much  of  the  way  being  through 
swamp  and  morass,  and  over  streams  impassable  until  bridged. 
Upon  arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  Raleigh,  the  Regiment  rejoined 
the  brigade. 


1865-]  JUNCTION    WITH    GENERAL  SHERMAN'S   ARMY.  367 

News  of  Lee's  surrender  to  Gen.  Grant,  at  Appomattox  Court 
House,  Va.,  was  now  received,  with  intense  satisfaction,  by  the  army 
operating  in  North  Carolina.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  glorious  in- 


M1  LEAN'S  HOUSE,  THE  PLACE  OF  LEE'S  SURRENDER. 

telligence,  Gen.  Sherman  determined  to  force  Johnson  to  surrender 
the  second  great  army  of  the  rebels  without  delay.  He  gave  im 
mediate  orders  to  drop  all  trains,  marched  his  army  rapidly  through 
Bentonville,  in  pursuit  of  Johnson's  Army  to  and  through  the  city  of 
Raleigh,  reaching  that  place  at  7.30  A.  M.,  on  April  13,  in  a  heavy 
rain.  The  next  day  the  cavalry  pushed  on,  through  the  rain,  to 
Durham's  Station,  Logan's  15th  Corps  following  as  far  as  Morris- 
villc  Station,  and  Blair's  17th  Corps  to  John's  Station,  on  the 
supposition  that  Johnson  would  be  compelled  to  adhere  to  the 
railroad  as  a  line  of  retreat.  Gen.  Sherman  had  pushed  forward 
the  left  wing  of  his  army,  under  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  H.  W. 
Slocum,  commanding  the  Army  of  Georgia,  composed  of  Davis' 
14th  and  Mower's  20th  Corps,  followed  by  the  right  wing,  under 
command  of  Mnj.  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard,  commanding  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee;  throwing  this  heavy  force  across  the  bend  in  the 
railroad  toward  Ashboro',  to  intercept  Johnson's  retreat.  Mean 
while  Gen.  Schofield  was  to  hold  Raleigh  and  its  approaches,  with 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  and  also  to  support  the  movement  in  pursuit 
of. Johnson,  with  his  spare  force,  by  an  intermediate  route.  Owing 
to  the  rapid  movements  and  masterly  disposition  of  his  forces,  by 
Gen.  Sherman,  Johnson's  Army  was  brought  to  a  stand. 


368 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


[May, 


PLACE  OP  JOHNSON'S  SURRENDER  TO  SHERMAN. 


On  April  26,  1865, 
after  several  attempts 
at  negotiating  terms  of 
capitulation,  Johnson 
surrendered  his  army 
to  Gen.  Sherman,  at 
Bennett's  house,  near 
Durham  Station,  thus 
bringing  to  an  end  the 
armed  rebellion  which 
— through  four  years  of 
persistent  effort,  in 
volving  untold  sacri 
fices  of  life  and  at  the 

cost  of  millions  of  treasure,  exhausting  every  resource  of  power  and 
prosperity — had  waged  its  desperate  and  fruitless  warfare  for  the 
overthrow  of  the  Nation. 

After  Johnson's  surrender,  the  97th  P.  V.  was  ordered  to  lialeigh, 
N.  C.,  and  was  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city  until  July  10, 
furnishing  guard,  outpost  and  safe-guard  details. 

While  at  Raleigh,  the  troops  were  reviewed  by  Gen.  Sherman. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  John  S.  Littell  (colonel  76th  P.  V.)  being  in  com 
mand  of  the  brigade. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  Col.  Pennypacker,  1st  Lieut.  John 
Wainwright,  who,  as  the  senior  officer  remaining  with  the  Regi 
ment,  had  been  in  command  during  most  of  the  time  since  October, 
1864,  was  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Regiment,  and 
was  mustered  April  19,  1865,  to  rank  from  March  14,  1865.  He 
had  been  previously  recommended  for  promotion  to  captain  of  Com 
pany  F  and  to  major  of  the  Regiment;  but,  owing  to  delays  at 
head-quarters,  the  commissions  were  not  received  until  after  his  pro 
motion  to  lieutenant  colonel. 

Capt.  William  H.  Martin,  Company  A,  was  also  commissioned  as 
major  of  the  Regiment,  to  rank  from  January  15,  1865. 

The  following  details  of  special  duty,  upon  which  the  officers  of 
the  Regiment  served,  while  at  Raleigh,  Gaston,  Weldon,  Warrcnton, 
and  other  places,  will  specify  some  of  the  duties  performed  by  the 
97th  P.  V. 

On  May  2,  Company  H,  Capt.  Theodore  M  Smedley,  was  de 
tailed,  as  a  permanent  guard,  at  Pettigrew  Hospital,  in  Raleigh, 


1865.]  GENERAL   PENNYPACKER*S   FAREWELL    LETTER.  369 

N.  C.,  and  remained  upon  that  duty  until  July  11.     The  company 
was  then  ordered,  with  the  Regiment,  to  Gaston,  N.  C. 

On  May  6,  1st  Lieut.  David  W.  Odiorne,  Company  D,  was  placed 
in  command  of  Company  G,  which  he  retained  about  one  month. 

Seven  recruits  joined  the  Regiment,  at  Raleigh,  on  May  9. 

On  May  12,  a  general  court-martial  was  convened  at  Raleigh,  N. 
C.,  by  an  order  of  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  A.  Ames,  commanding  2d 
division,  10th  Corps.  The  court  met  at  division  head-quarters,  Col. 
William  13.  Coan  being  president  of  the  court.  Maj.  W.  II.  Mar 
tin,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  detailed  and  served  as  a  member  of  the 
court  during  its  sessions. 

Surgeon  Nichols,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  appointed  chief  medical 
officer  of  the  brigade,  May  24,  and  continued  in  that  position  until 
July  12,  1865. 

Elwood  P.  Baldwin,  1st  sergeant  Company  H,  was  promoted  to 
1st  lieutenant  and  adjutant,  to  rank  from  May  26,  1865. 

About  May  23,  1865,  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  G.  Pennypacker — who 
was  still  confined  to  his  bed,  in  the  Chesapeake  Hospital,  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  by  the  severity  of  his  Fort  Fisher  wounds — received, 
from  the  Secretary  of  War,  a  commission  as  brigadier  general  of 
U.  S.  Volunteers,  having  previously  received  a  brevet  commission 
for  gallantry  at  Fort  Fisher,  lie,  therefore,  addressed  the  following 
message  of  farewell  to  the  officers  and  men  he  had  led  so  long  and 
bravely  and  who  had  followed  him  so  faithfully  through  many 
battles: 

U.  S.  GENERAL  HOSPITAL  (OFFICERS'  DIVISION), 

FORT  MONROE,  VA.,  May  23,  1865. 
To  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEN  OF  THE  97TH  P.  V. 

MY  FELLOW  SOLDIERS:  Having  been  appointed,  by  his  Excel 
lency  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  the  position  of  briga 
dier  general  of  volunteers,  my  connection  with  you,  as  an  officer  of 
your  organization,  has  ceased. 

In  saying  to  you,  hereby,  my  farewell,  I  wish  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  very  kind  and  cheerful  manner  with  which  my  demands  were 
ever  met  and  to  your  general  efficiency  and  good  conduct. 

But,  more  than  all,  I  must  compliment  you  for  the  great  name 
you  have  achieved  in  your  corps  and  at  your  homes  for  deeds  that 
were  more  than  brave.  You  have  stood  firm  where  others  might 
well  have  faltered. 

I  have  been  one  of  your  number  so  long  that  I  think  I  know 
24 


370  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  [June' 

and  appreciate  you,  and  when  I  ask  you  to  strive  to  maintain,  in 
the  future,  the  good  name  you  so  honorably  won  and  have  borne 
in  the  past,  I  feel  that  I  am  not  asking  in  vain. 

The  glorious  work  in  which  we  have  been  engaged,  being  so  near 
a  complete  and  successful  termination,  I  must  congratulate  you 
upon  the  prospect  of  your  soon  being  permitted  to  join  again  your 
relatives  and  friends  at  home. 

You  have  my  warm  thanks  for  your  soldierly  and  courteous  bear 
ing;  my  best  wishes  for  your  future  prosperity  and  success;  my 
prayers  for  your  speedy  and  safe  return.  Farewell.  May  the  bless 
ing  of  Heaven  attend  you. 

G.  PENNYPACKER, 

Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  Vols. 

Lieut.  Col.  John  Wainwright  was  commissioned,  on  June  1,  as 
colonel  of  the  Regiment  and  mustered,  by  Lieut.  B.  Seward,  A.  C 
M.,  on  June  15,  1865. 

Maj.  William  H.  Martin  was  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel  on 
June  I,  1865,  but  was  not  mustered. 

Capt.  Leonard  R.  Thomas,  Company  C,  was  commissioned  major 
of  the  Regiment  June  1,  but  was  not  mustered. 

On  June  6,  Col.  Coan,  48th  N.  Y.,  relieved  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  J. 
S.  Littell  in  command  of  the  brigade,  Gen.  Littell  being  then  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  the  division.  1st  Lieut.  David  Odiorne 
was  appointed  acting  aid-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Coan,  2d 
brigade,  2d  division,  l()th  Corps.  Brig.  Gen.  J.  S.  Littell,  com 
manding  2d  division,  was  mustered  out  on  July  25,  when  Col.  Coan 
took  command  of  the  division.  Lieut.  Odiorne  was  then  relieved 
from  duty  upon  brigade  staff  and  appointed  on  division  staff,  and 
continued  in  that  position  until  August  16,  1865,  when  relieved  to 
be  mustered  out  with  the  Regiment. 

Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  John  H.  Brower  was  promoted  to  quarter-master 
of  the  Regiment  on  June  7. 

David  R.  Cochran,  sergeant  Company  G,  was  then  promoted  to 
quarter-master  sergeant. 

Caleb  Mercer,  sergeant  Company  F,  was  promoted  to  commissary 
sergeant,  same  date. 

On  June  20,  Maj.  Martin  was  sent  to  several  plantations,  about 
twenty  miles  from  Gaston,  to  settle  difficulties  between  the  freedman 
and  the  planters,  the  former  being  unwilling  to  go  to  work  without 


18651       G ASTON    AND    WELDON,  N.  C.       DETAILS  AND   PROMOTIONS.          371 

some  guarantee  of  compensation.  He  was  absent  four  days,  was 
everywhere  treated  well — called  meetings  of  the  freedmen,  and  gave 
them  instructions  as  to  their  duties  in  their  new  condition. 

On  June  21,  Maj.  Martin  was  again  detailed  upon  a  military  com 
mission  convened  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  by  order  of  Gen.  Ames,  and 
continued  to  serve  upon  the  court-martial  until  July  20. 

Twenty-one  recruits  were  received,  on  June  23,  and  assigned  to 
Company  K. 

On  July  11,  Companies  A,  B,  E,  F,  H,  I  and  K  were  ordered  to 
Gaston,  N.  C.,  on  the  Roanoke  River,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Gaston  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  Col.  John  Wainwright  being  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  that  post.  Companies  C,  D  and  G  were 
ordered  to  Weldon,  N.  C.  Maj.  Martin  being  still  engaged  upon 
duty  as  a  member  of  court-martial,  at  Raleigh,  the  command  of  this 
detachment  devolved  upon  Capt.  William  S.  Underwood,  Company 
K,  the  senior  officer  present. 

Near  the  latter  part  of  July,  Companies  A,  B,  F,  H  and  I  joined 
the  companies  at  Weldon,  leaving  Company  E  at  Gaston.  Company 
G  was  sent  to  Halifax  and  Company  K  to  Warrenton,  N.  C.,  at 
which  place  the  men  suffered  much  from  sickness,  principally  fever 
and  ague. 

On  July  17,  Capt.  Dallas  Crow,  Company  B,  was  detailed  as  pro 
vost  marshal  during  the  occupation  of  Gaston,  N.  C.  The  principal 
duty  was  to  administer  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  about  five  hun 
dred  men,  forty  women,  and  a  dozen  couples  previous  to  their  being 
married. 

During  the  remaining  portion  of  its  term  of  service,  the  97th 
P.  V.  was  engaged  upon  such  duties  as  the  exigencies  of  the  situation 
and  the  condition  of  the  people  in  their  new  relations  demanded, 
affording  protection  to  the  inhabitants  as  needed.  The  officers 
were  directed  to  co-operate  with  the  agents  of  the  Freedmen 's  Bu 
reau;  securing  the  welfare,  peace  and  order  of  the  district  in  their 
charge,  through  maintaining  respect  to  the  authority  of  the  govern 
ment,  by  all  classes.  It  was  found  necessary  to  visit  almost  every 
section  of  the  surrounding  country,  in  order  to  inform  the  ignorant 
freedmen  and  more  ignorant  white  laborers  of  theiV  duties  and 
rights,  under  the  new  order  of  things;  and  to  urge  upon  all  the  ne 
cessity  of  returning  to  labor  and  the  culture  of  the  soil,  from  which 
they  must  draw  their  future  sustenance. 

On  August  28,  1865,  the  97th  P.  V.,  after  four  years  of  arduous 


372  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

and  active  duty,  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  by  Capt.  Augustus  M.  Erwin,  48th  N.  Y., 
Assistant  Commissary  of  Musters.  The  officers  and  men  then  took 
passage  upon  the  cars  for  Petersburg,  and  thence  to  City  Point,  Va., 
at  which  place  they  went  on  board  the  steam  transport  James 
Jerome,  for  Baltimore,  passing  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  on  the  night  of 
August  29. 

The  Fortress  Monroe  correspondent  of  the  Philadelphia  Inquirer, 
in  a  communication  to  that  paper,  dated  September  1,  1865,  thus 
refers  to  the  services  of  the  97th  P.  V.: 

VETERANS  OF  THE  KEYSTONE  STATE. — At  a  late  hour  last  night,  the  Ninety- 
Seventh  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  passed  out  of  Hampton  Roads  and 
up  the  broad  bay  on  their  way  to  Baltimore.  From  the  latter  city,  they  will 
proceed  by  rail  to  Philadelphia,  where  tliey  will  be  mustered  out  of  the  service, 
upon  which  their  gallant  deeds  of  arms  have  reflected  additional  lustre.  This 
Regiment  left  the  Keystone  State,  four  years  ago,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Henry  R.  Guss.  It  is  now  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Wainwright. 

Among  the  veteran  legions  of  Pennsylvania  the  old  Ninety-Seventh  takes  an 
honored  stand.  Their  victorious  eagles  have  been  borne  from  Washington  to 
Petersburg,  from  the  Peninsula  of  Virginia  to  the  defences  of  Charleston. 

Their  wild  hurrahs  rang  out  over  Morris  Island,  and  their  avenging  bayonets 
gleamed  from  the  sloper,  of  Wagner  and  Gregg.  From  the  rice  swamps  of  the 
Palmetto  State,  they  were  summoned  to  the  trenches  before  Petersburg. 

During  the  last  winter  of  the  war,  they  were  sent  to  force  the  gates  of  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.  They  participated  in  the  storming  of  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  where 
they  were  in  the  brigade  of  their  gallant  Colonel  Pennypacker. 

On  the  22d  of  February  last,  they  unfurled  their  battle-torn  banner  in  the 
streets  of  Wilmington. 

From  the  latter  city,  they  marched  to  Goldsboro',  where  they  joined  the  Army 
of  Sherman.  With  him  they  swept  to  the  capital  of  North  Carolina,  and  in  its 
shadow  they  sto.id,  proud  spectators,  as  the  last  organized  army  of  the  rebellion 
laid  its  arms  at  the  feet  of  the  defenders  and  preservers  of  Union  and  Liberty. 

The  Regiment  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  September  2,  1865, 
where  it  was  received  by  crowds  of  citizens,  with  demonstrations  of 
enthusiasm,  music  and  banners,  and  guns  firing  for  the  heroes  of 
Fort  Fisher.  The  number  then  upon  the  roster  was  about  six  hun 
dred,  officers  and  men.  At  the  depot,  Broad  Street  and  Washington 
Avenue,  the  line  was  formed;  then  marched  down  Washington 
Avenue  to  the  Cooper  Shop  and  Union  Volunteer  Refreshment  Sa 
loons,  where  the  men  were  entertained  with  the  same  bountiful  pro 
vision  which  was  extended  to  the  Regiment,  four  years  before,  when 
setting  out  for  the  seat  of  war;  being  now  provided  for  by  the 
same  untiring  hands  which  had  ministered  to  their  comfort  then. 


1865.1  RETURN    TO   PHILADELPHIA    AND    FINAL    DISBANDING.  373 

These  institutions,  of  which  every  citizen  of  Philadelphia  may 
well  feel  proud,  have  given  to  the  city  a  national  reputation  for 
hospitality  and  patriotism,  which  alone  would  indicate  her  un 
swerving  loyalty  and  devotion  to  the  cause  in  which  so  many  of 
her  truest  and  best  sons  have  so  faithfully  served,  and  to  maintain 
which,  against  traitorous  hands  that  sought  the  nation's  overthrow, 
so  many  of  her  bravest  and  best  beloved  gave  their  lives. 

The  Regiment  then  proceeded  to  quarters  at  Camp  Cadwalader, 
where,  on  September  4,  the  officers  and  men  were  paid  by  Maj. 
David  Taggert,  paymaster  U.  S.  A.,  and  the  Regiment  was  finally 
discharged  and  disbanded. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  officers  who  returned  with  the  Regiment 
with  their  rank  and  place  of  residence  when  first  enlisted: 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel.     John  Wainwrigbt,  1st  sergeant,  Company  F,  West  Chester. 
Major.     William  II.  Martin,  corporal,  Company  A,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co 
Adjutant.     El  wood  P.  Baldwin,  2d  lieutenant,  Company  II;  resigned  and  re- 
enlisted  as  private,  Company  H,  West  Chester. 

Quarter-Master.     John  II.  Brower,  private,  Company  F,  East  Vincent,  Chester  Co. 
Surgeon.      Pennoek  J.  Nichols  (recently  assigned),  Londonderry,  Chester  Co. 
Hospital  Steward.     Madison  Lovett,  private,  Company  A,  Colerain,  Lancaster  Co. 
Quarter-Master  Sergeant.     David  K.  Cochran,  private,  Company  U,  Media. 
Commissary  Sergeant.     Caleb  Mercer,  corporal,  Company  F,  Coatesville. 
Drum  Major.     John  Weber,  corporal,  Company  F,  Oxford,  Chester  Co 
Fife  Major.     Milton  S.  Taylor,  musician,  Company  H,  West  Chester. 
Sutler.     George  Blanchard  (recently  assigned),  Philadelphia. 
Co.  A.      Capt.  Robert  L.  Black,  private,  Coatesville,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  Franklin  Clay  Henry,  private,  Coatesville. 

2d  Lieut.  Joseph  Phillips,  private,  Ridley,  Delaware  Co. 
Co.  B.      Capt.  Dallas  Crow,  private,  Sadsburyville,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  David  S.  Harry,  private,  Cochranville,  Chester  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  John  B.  Griffith,  private,  Coatesville,  Chester  Co. 
Co.  C.      Capt.  Leonard  R.  Thomas,  private,  Mortonville,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  George  W.  Abel,  private,  West  Chester. 

2d  Lieut.  Charles  Warren,  private,  Schuylkill,  Chester  Co. 
Co.   D.     Capt.  Isiao  B.  Taylor,  sergeant,  East  Whitelaud,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  David  W.  Odiorne,  corporal,  Ivy  Mills,  Delaware  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  John  W.  Brooks,  private,  Westtown.  Chester  Co. 
Co.  E.      Capt.  Samuel  D   Smith,  sergeant,  East  Goshen,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  John  C.  Nicholson,  private,  Philadelphia. 

2d  Lieut.  John  Sullivan,  corporal,  Thornbury,  Delaware  Co. 
Co.   F.      Capt.  Lewis  P.  Malin,  private,  Sugarton,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  Isaac  J.  Nichols,  private,  Kimberton,  Chester  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  John  Elwood  Huntsman,  sergeant,  Edgemont,  Delaware  Co. 


374  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.        [September, 

Co.  G.      Capl.  Washington  W.  James,  private,  Bdgemont,  Delaware  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  Isaiah  Bird,  private.  Oxford,  Chester  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  Jeremiah  Yost,  private,  Media,  Delaware  Co. 
Co.  H.     Capt.  Theodore  M.  Smedley,  private,  West  Bradford,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  Phares  P.  Brown,  corporal,  Guthrieville,  Chester  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  Isaac  L.  Dutton,  private,  Lower  Oxford,  Chester  Co. 
Co.  I.       Capt.  George  W.  Duffee,  sergeant,  Leiperville,  Delaware  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  William  H.  II.  Gibson,  private,  Chester,  Delaware  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  George  W.  Middleton,  private,  Lazaretto,  Delaware  Co. 
Co.  K.     Capt.  William  S.  Underwood,  sergeant,  Jennerville,  Chester  Co. 

1st  Lieut.  William  Sullivan,  private,  Warren  Tavern,  Chester  Co. 

2d  Lieut.  John  W.  Thompson,  private,  Hopewell,  Chester  Co. 

About  fifty  re-enlisted  veterans  returned  with  the  Regiment,  all 
of  whom  had  been  promoted  as  commissioned  and  non-commissioned 
officers. 

During  the  term  of  its  service,  it  was  the  fortune  of  the  Regi 
ment  to  be  engaged  in  front  of  the  three  principal  cities  on  the 
southern  coast,  viz.:  Savannah,  Ga.,  Charleston,  S.  C.  and  Wilming 
ton,  N.  C.  It  also  participated  in  most  of  the  engagements  that 
took  place  in  front  of  the  two  principal  cities  in  Virginia — Peters 
burg  and  Richmond,  as  well  as  in  the  operations  that  secured  the 
occupation  of  Raleigh  and  Goldsboro',  N.  C. 

It  was  associated  with  five  of  the  grand  armies  of  the  Union, 
viz.:  Army  of  the  Department  of  the  South,  Army  of  the  James, 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  Army  of  the  Ohio,  with  Sherman's  Army  at 
the  surrender  of  Johnson  and  the  occupation  of  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
and  at  the  final  surrender  of  Johnson's  Army. 

Many  of  its  dead  lie  buried  in  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Mary 
land,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida 
and  in  some  of  the  cemeteries  of  New  York  and  Long  Island. 

While  in  the  Department  of  the  South,  the  Regiment  suffered 
much  from  sickness,  such  as  chronic  diarrhoea,  intermittent,  conges 
tive  and  yellow  fevers,  and  other  diseases  incident  to  a  Southern 
climate.  Many  of  those  discharged  during  the  service  and  of  those 
who  returned  at  the  final  muster-out,  had  contracted  incurable 
diseases  from  climatic  exposure. 

It  is  unnecessary,  as  well  as  impossible,  to  recount  the  numerous 
testimonials  of  admiration  and  commendation  which  the  97th  P.  V. 
has,  at  various  periods,  received  from  commanding  officers  under 
whom  it  served,  for  its  promptness,  its  discipline,  its  steadiness  and 
gallantry  in  every  emergency,  which  have  secured  for  it  a  place  in 
the  front  ranks  of  well-tried  veterans. 


1865-J  OFFICIAL    RECORD   OF    ENGAGEMENTS.  375 

That  the  record  of  this  Regiment  has  not  been  more  widely 
known,  in  connection  with  the  important  events  with  which  it  par 
ticipated,  may  be  owing  to  the  circumstance  of  its  having  had  no 
ftpccial  correspondent  of  some  sensational  newspaper,  to  herald  to 
the  world  the  gallant  deeds  of  daring  and  'bravery  its  officers  and 
men  strove  more  to  perform  than  to  proclaim. 

The  official  record  of  the  most  important  operations  in  which  the 
Regiment  was  engaged  is  here  given  as  transcribed  from  the  list 
filed  in  the  Adjutant  General's  Office  at  Ilarrisburg. 

NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT,  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS. 
SECOND  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  TENTH  CORPS. 

Col.  Henry  R.  Guss;  Col.  G.  Pennypacker,  Brig,  and  Brevet  Maj. 
Gen.  U.  S.  A.;  Col.  John  Wainwright. 

Fort  Clinch  and  Fernandina,  Fla,,  March  5,  1862. 

John's  Island,  S.  C..  June  7,  1862. 

James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  1862. 

Secessionville,  S.  C.,  June  16,  1862. 

James  Island,  S.  C.,  July  16,  1863. 

Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  July  18,  1863. 

Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  S.  C.,  September  7,  1863. 

Swift  Creek,  Va.,  May  9,  1864. 

Drury's  Bluff,  Va.,  May  16,  1864. 

Chester  Station  (Foster's  Place),  Va.,  May  18,  1864. 

Green  Plains,  Va.,  May  20,  1864. 

Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3  to  12,  1864. 

Petersburg   Heights,  Va.,  June  15,  1864. 

Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  1864. 

Mine  Explosion,  Va.,  July  30,  1864. 

Deep  Bottom  (Strawberry  Plains),  Va.,  August  16,  1864. 

Weir  Bottom  Church,  Va.,  August  25,  1864. 

Charles  City  Road,  Va.,  October  7,  1864. 

Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  October  27,  1864. 

Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  January  15,  1865. 

Wilmington,  N.  C.,  February  22,  1865. 

Organized  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  July  25,  1861,  by  Col.  II.  R. 
Guss,  for  three  years.  Reorganized  as  a  veteran  Regiment,  at  Fer 
nandina,  Fla.,  March  16,  1864.  Mustered  out  of  the  service,  at 
Weldon,  N.  C.,  August  28,  1865. 


376  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  Record  of  the  Regiment  gives,  in  addition  to  these,  the  fol 
lowing  actions  in  which  it  encountered  the  enemy's  forces: 

Proctor's  Creek  and  Fort  Darling,  Va.,  May  14,  1864. 

Wier  Bottom  Church  Road,  May  16,  1864. 

Deep  Bottom,  Va.,  August  14,  1864. 

Sugar  Loaf  Hill,  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  February  11,  1865. 

Fort  Anderson,  N.  C.,  February  19,  1865. 

Surrender  of  Johnson  near  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  April  26,  1865. 

The  Regiment  also  participated  in  the  following  important  sieges 
and  captures: 

Siege  of  Fort  Pulaski,  Ga.,  February  and  March,  1862. 

Capture  of  Fort  Clinch  and  Fernandina,  Fla.,  March  5,  1862. 

Siege  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  April  7  to  July  7,  1862. 

Capture  of  Legareeville,  John's  Island,  S.  C.,  June  5,  1862. 

Occupation  of  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  9,  1862,  and  the  reoccu- 
pation  on  July  9,  1863. 

Siege  of  Forts  Sumter,  Moultrie,  Johnson;  Wagner  and  Gregg, 
on  Morris  Island,  S.  C.;  July,  August  and  September,  1863. 

Capture  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sep 
tember  7.  1863. 

Capture  of  Camp  Cooper,  Fla.,  February  10,  1864. 

Capture  of  Woodstock  and  King's  Ferry  Mills,  on  St.  Mary's 
River,  Ga.,  February  16,  1864. 

Action  with  rebel  cavalry,  near  Woodstock  Mills,  February  22, 
1864. 

Capture  of  Bermuda  Hundred  and  City  Point,  Va.,  May  6,  1864. 

Siege  of  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  Va,,  June,  July,  August, 
September,  October,  November  and  December,  1864. 

Occupation  of  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  April  13,  1865, 


RECORD   OF    RECRUITING    SERVICE. 


377 


CHAPTER  XII. 

RECRUITING  SERVICE;  FIRST  DETAIL,  AT  FORTRESS  MONROE,  VA., 
DECEMBER  8,  1861;  SECOND,  JANUARY  1,  1862;  THIRD,  SEPTEM 
BER  2,  1862;  FOURTH,  OCTOBER  24,  1862,  ALL  AT  HILTON  HEAD, 
S.  C.;  FIFTH,  AT  MORRIS  ISLAND,  S.  C.,  JULY  22,  1863. 

HEN  the  Regiment  left  West  Chester,  November 
16,  1861,  Companies  I  and  K  not  having  the  re- 
quisite  number  of  men,  it  became  necessary  to 
adopt  means  for  securing  the  enlistment  of  recruits. 
At  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Col.  Guss  received  au- 
thority  to  send  home  a  recruiting  party.  He  there 
fore  issued  an  order,  detailing  upon  that  service 
1st  Lieuts.  Thomas  S.  Taylor,  Company  H,  and 
Sketchly  Morton,  Jr.,  Company. I;  Sergts.  John  E. 
Davis,  Company  D,  and  R.  Powell  Fithian,  Company  K.  Those 
officers  were  directed  to  proceed  to  Pennsylvania  and  establish  re 
cruiting  rendezvous  at  West  Chester  and  Chester. 

They  left  Fortress  Monroe  on  December  8,  1861,  for  New  York. 
Lieut.  Taylor  established  his  head-quarters  at  West  Chester  and 
Lieut.  Morton  at  Chester.  They  visited  various  localities  in  both 
counties,  held  several  meetings,  posted  hand-bills,  giving  notice  of 
the  places  of  rendezvous  for  recruits,  etc.  They  succeeded  in  get 
ting  about  twenty-five  men,  and  collected  beside  a  few  convalescent 
soldiers  who  had  been  left  behind  sick  when  the  Regiment  marched 
from  Camp  Wayne.  Lieut.  Taylor  was  relieved  from  recruiting 
service,  January  10,  1862.  After  closing  his  accounts  and  collect 
ing  his  men,  Lieut.  Taylor  started  from  West  Chester,  January  20, 
having  about  thirty  men  in  his  charge.  Two  deserted  at  the  West 
Chester  depot.  He  reported,  in  Philadelphia,  to  Lieut.  Col.  C.  F. 
Ruff,  and  received  orders  to  go  by  way  of  Baltimore  and  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.  At  Baltimore,  he  received  information,  from  the  cap 
tain  of  a  boat  just  starting,  that  no  transportation  could  be  had 


378  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  Fortress  Monroe  for  several  weeks.  He  then  reported  to  Gen. 
Dix,  commanding  department,  who  furnished  him  with  the  proper 
papers,  with  orders  to  return  and  report  in  New  York.  He  had  in 
his  charge  a  wagon  load  of  boxes  for  soldiers  of  the  Regiment  from 
their  friends  and  some  for  the  hospital.  These  were  a  great 
hindrance  and  expense,  having  to  be  carted  twice  across  Baltimore 
and  Philadelphia,  owing  to  the  mistake  of  being  ordered  to  take 
the  Fortress  Monroe  route.  Upon  arriving  in  New  York,  after 
much  trouble  and  delay,  the  men  were  quartered  in  the  White  Street 
barracks,  and  remained  there  about  a  week  awaiting  transportation 
to  Port  Royal,  S.  C.  His  men  were  examined,  in  New  York,  by 
an  inspecting  surgeon.  A  few  were  rejected  and  sent  home.  One 
was  left  in  Baltimore  sick,  another  in  Philadelphia  and  two  deserted 
at  Wilmington,  Del. 

The  first  vessel  that  sailed,  and  upon  which  they  embarked,  was 
the  Matanzas,  Capt.  Liesgang,  a  clever  old  Scotch  gentleman. 
When  only  a  few  hours  at  sea  they  encountered  a  violent  storm. 
The  voyage  was  prolonged,  in  consequence,  about  two  days.  Their 
provisions  were  spoiled  by  the  sea  water.  Lieut.  Taylor  obtained 
some  from  Lieut.  Stanzer,  of  the  100th  N.  Y.,  whose  provisions  es 
caped  damage.  Upon  arriving  at  Port  Royal  Harbor,  the  vessel 
was  ordered  immediately  to  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  to  land  cargo,  the  men 
not  being  allowed  to  land  at  Hilton  Head.  This  detained  them  on 
board  two  days  longer,  when  the  vessel  returned  to  Hilton  Head. 

Lieut.  Taylor  found  only  a  few  sick  soldiers  at  the  camp  of  the 
Regiment,  in  charge  of  Dr.  Smith,  hospital  steward.  He  received 
orders,  at  head-quarters,  to  take  command  of  the  camp.  After  a 
few  days,  he  was  ordered  to  join  the  Regiment,  then  at  Warsaw 
Sound,  Ga.,  with  the  men  under  his  command.  The  detachment 
reached  Warsaw  on  February  12,  1862.  His  recruits,  fifteen,  that 
remained  of  the  number  with  which  he  started,  were  then  mustered 
into  the  service. 

In  order  to  keep  the  ranks  of  the  regiments,  serving  during  the 
war,  from  becoming  reduced  below  the  standard  required  for  com 
panies  and  regiments,  by  loss  from  casualties  and  disease,  orders 
were  issued  from  the  War  Department,  early  in  December,  1861, 
requiring  the  detail  of  recruiting  parties,  to  consist  of  two  or  more 
commissioned  officers,  with  a  limited  number  of  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  from  each  regiment,  to  be  sent  to  the  localities 
from  which  the  different  regiments  were  recruited,  to  serve  upon 


RECORD   OF    RECRUITING   SERVICE.  379 

that  duty  for  a  period  of  six  months;  to  be  then  relieved  by  order 
or  by  a  new  detail  for  the  same  duty. 

The  first  detail,  in  pursuance  with  these  orders,  from  the  97th 
P.  V.  was  made  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  by  the  following  order: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  E.  C.,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C., 

January  2,  1862. 
Special  Order  No.  3. 

In  compliance  with  Paragraph  III  of  General  Orders  No.  105, 
from  head-quarters  of  the  army,  dated  Washington,  D.  C.,  De 
cember  3,  1861,  the  following  named  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers  are  detailed  for  recruiting  service,  for  the  six  months  ending 
June  30,  1862,  and  will  report  to  Capt.  11.  I.  Dodge,  8th  Infantry, 
Harrisburg,  Pa.:  Capt.  Isaiah  Price;  1st  Lieut.  Sketchly  Morton, 
Jr.;  Sergts.  R.  Powell  Fithian,  John  C.  Brubaker,  Jeft'eris  T. 
Massey  and  John  J.  Barber,  97th  P.  V. 

By  order  of  BRIG.  GEN.  T.  W.  SHERMAN. 

L.  H.  PELOUZE,  Capt.  loth  Infty., 

A.  A.  A.  G. 

Three  of  the  number,  detailed  in  the  above  order,  were  already 
upon  recruiting  service  in  Pennsylvania,  vi/.:  Lieuts.  S.  Morton,  Jr., 
and  J.  J.  Barber,  and  Sergt.  R.  P.  Fithian. 

Capt.  Price  and  Sergts.  Brubaker  and  Massey  embarked  on  the 
Arago,  at  9  A.  M.,  January  3,  1862;  arrived  in  New  York  at  2 
P.  M.  on  the  6th;  thence  proceeded  to  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  reporting, 
on  January  8,  to  Capt.  11.  1.  Dodge,  8th  Infantry,  Superintendent 
of  Recruiting  Service  in  Pennsylvania.  The  party  was,  by  that 
officer,  assigned  to  duty  as  follows:  Capt.  Price  and  Sergt.  R.  P. 
Fithian  at  West  Chester,  Pa.;  Lieut,  S.  Morton,  Jr.,  and  Sergt.  J. 
C.  Brubaker  at  Chester,  Delaware  Co.;  Lieut.  J.  J.  Barber  and 
Sergt.  J.  T.  Massey  at  Oxford,  Chester  Co.  They  continued  upon 
recruiting  service  at  those  places  during  the  months  of  January, 
February,  March  and  April,  1862.  But  little  success,  however,  at 
tended  their  efforts,  owing  to  the  influences  referred  to  in  the  second 
chapter  of  this  work. 

The  recruits  obtained  by  this  detail  were  forwarded  semi-monthly 
to  Harrisburg,  Pa.  Some  of  them  were  subsequently  forwarded  to 
the  97th  Regiment,  but  quite  a  number  were  sent  to  other  regi 
ments,  either  through  being  permitted  to  choose  for  themselves,  or 


380  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  other  influences,  by  which  means  the  97th  Regiment  failed  to 
obtain  the  full  benefit  of  its  officers'  efforts  to  fill  up  its  ranks. 

The  recruiting  service  was  regarded  a  most  onerous  duty  by  those 
engaged  upon  it;  absence  from  their  Regiment  became  most  irksome 
and  distasteful,  more  especially  as  it  was  realized  that  they  were 
missing  the  opportunity  of  training  and  the  experience  of  service 
in  the  field.  Capt.  Price  made  several  earnest  efforts  to  have  his 
party  relieved  and  sent  back  to  the  Regiment ;  by  application  to 
Capt.  Dodge,  Superintendent  of  Recruiting  Service,  at  Harrisburg, 
and  also  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  April  28,  1862, 
urging  the  granting  of  his  request.  About  May  5,  1862,  he  re 
ceived  notice  from  the  Superintendent  to  collect  his  detail,  close  up 
accounts,  and  report  at  Harrisburg  with  the  recruits  on  hand,  pre 
paratory  to  rejoining  the  Regiment. 

The  recruiting  party  reached  that  city  on  May  6,  and  were  re 
lieved  from  that  service.     Capt.  Price  was  then  placed  in  charge  of 
a  small  detachment  of  recruits,  with  orders  to  rejoin  the  Regiment; 
started  at  once,  reaching  New  York,  at  10  P.  M.,  where  the  men 
were  placed  in  barracks  at  White  Street. 

On  May  7,  Capt.  Price  reported  to  Col.  C.  H.  Tompkins,  U.  S. 
quarter-master,  at  New  York,  to  obtain  subsistence  and  transporta 
tion  for  his  detachment.  Embarked  May  15,  1862,  on  board  steam 
ship  Oriental,  Capt.  Tuzo,  for  Port  Royal.  Sailed  from  New  York  at 
9  A.  M.,  with  prospect  of  a  safe  voyage,  until  midnight  of  the  16th, 
when  the  ship  went  ashore  on  Bodice  Island,  near  Cape  Hatteras, 
N.  C.  There  seemed  no  apparent  cause  for  the  disaster,  which 
could  only  be  attributed  to  gross  neglect  on  the  part  of  those  on 
the  watch  at  the  time,  or  of  design.  There  was  considerable  alarm 
at  first  among  the  passengers  until  assured  of  no  immediate  danger. 
Morning  was  awaited  with  irrepressible  anxiety.  The  white  foam 
of  the  surf  upon  the  beach  was  plainly  visible.  The  surf  con 
tinued  to  move  the  vessel  still  further  toward  the  shore,  notwith 
standing  the  efforts  made  by  Capt.  Tuzo  to  haul  her  head  off  shore 
by  carrying  a  heavy  anchor  out  into  deep  water,  to  which  a  hawser 
was  attached,  which,  being  made  fast  to  the  capstan,  was  kept 
taut  that  the  force  of  the  waves  might  gradually  work  her  head 
off  the  beach.  A  large  portion  of  the  cargo,  consisting  of  quarter, 
master's  stores,  was  also  thrown  overboard  to  lighten  the  ship,  at 
which  the  recruits  for  the  97th  P.  V.  worked  for  several  hours  most 
faithfully  with  the  other  troops  on  board;  but  all  efforts  were  un- 


RECORD   OF    RECRUITING    SERVICE.  381 

availing.  By  morning,  the  northeast  wind  had  increased  to  a  gale 
and  the  danger  from  the  storm  became  every  hour  more  imminent. 
Preparations  were  then  made  for  landing  the  passengers,  among 
whom  were  several  ladies;  also  Gen.  R.  Saxton,  Governor  of  South 
Carolina,  and  some  members  of  his  staff;  Capt.  J.  P.  Johnson,  an 
accomplished  seaman  and  commander  of  the  transport  steamer 
Boston,  and  Mr.  Charles  Making,  chief  engineer  of  the  steamer 
Cosmopolitan,  the  latter  having  with  him  a  crew  of  four  or  five 
men  who  were  tried  and  reliable  seamen. 

When  it  became  a  matter  of  importance  to  get  a  hawser  ashore, 
to  facilitate  the  saving  of  life,  by  reason  of  the  prevailing  north 
east  gale  and  few  remaining  hours  of  daylight,  Mr.  Making  over 
heard  the  officers  (Gen.  Saxton,  Qr.  Mr.  Moore  and  Capt.  Tuzo) 
consulting  about  the  possibility  and  manner  of  getting  ashore,  with 
a  hawser,  upon  such  a  heavy  sea.  He  then  reported  what  he  had 
heard,  to  Capt.  Johnson,  and  said  to  him  if  he  (Capt.  Johnson), 
dared  make  the  attempt,  he  and  his  men  would  join  him.  Capt. 
Johnson  replied,  "We  both  know  your  five  men,  and  I  will  volun 
teer  to  do  it  with  them." 

They  lost  no  time  in  setting  about  their  perilous  task,  which  was 
successfully  accomplished,  though  their  boat  was  overturned  in  the 
surf  upon  the  beach  by  the  violence  of  the  waves.  Upon  the  return 
of  the  boat  from  the  shore,  the  ladies  and  some  of  the  officers  were 
next  sent  off,  a  line  being  attached  to  the  hawser  to  keep  the  boat 
in  control.  It  was  a  critical  venture,  owing  to  the  violence  of  the 
waves,  which  every  hour  became  more  rough;  this  boat  was  also 
tossed  over,  and  only  the  prompt  vigilance  of  the  boat's  crew  who 
seized  the  ladies  and  carried  them  ashore,  saved  them  from  being 
swept  away  by  the  dashing  waters.  A  hammock  was  then  swung 
from  the  cable,  by  which  the  remaining  passengers  were  sent  ashore, 
one  at  a  time,  without  touching  the  water,  the  shore  end  of  the 
hawser  being  secured  high  enough  to  swing  the  hammock  clear. 
By  the  time  the  passengers  were  all  landed  it  was  nearly  dark. 
The  storm  drove  wildly  against  the  beach,  rendering  the  prospect  of 
an  unsheltered  night,  upon  a  desolate  coast,  most  cheerless.  The 
ladies  had  been  sent  to  the  only  habitation  on  the  island,  a  small 
cabin,  about  a  mile  distant.  Some  of  the  passengers  bivouacked 
under  the  lee  of  the  sand  banks,  with  their  gum  blankets,  and 
others  wandered  off  to  a  deserted  old  cotton  house,  in  sight  across 
the  flats,  and  found  more  comfortable  quarters.  By  next  morning, 


382  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  ship  had  been  driven  inshore  by  the  gale  and  the  surf,  cutting 
its  way  through  the  sand  until  her  bow  almost  overhung  the  dry 
land.  It  was  now  no  difficult  task  to  land  the  baggage  of  the  pas 
sengers  and  provisions  for  sustenance  until  relief  could  reach  us. 

Capt.  Tuzo  placed  several  large  sails  at  the  disposal  of  the  pas 
sengers  for  shelter,  whereupon  the  recruiting  party  of  the  97th 
P.  V.  set  to  work  to  build  a  tent,  finding  plenty  of  spars  upon  the 
beach,  and  soon  had  comfortable  quarters  for  all. 

Soon  after  the  vessel  struck  upon  the  bar,  an  officer,  a  passenger 
on  the  steamer,  while  passing  near  the  open  hold,  was  thrown  down 
by  a  sudden  lurch  of  the  vessel,  striking  his  head  against  the  bottom 
timbers  of  the  ship ;  he  was  picked  up  senseless  and  carried  to  the 
cabin,  where  he  received  every  attention  possible,  and,  after  the 
shelter  was  prepared  on  shore,  was  taken  there  upon  a  lounge,  still 
suffering  much  and  only  partially  conscious.  When  the  safety  of 
the  ship  was  assured,  by  the  abatement  of  the  storm,  he  was  taken 
on  board  to  more  comfortable  quarters.  It  is  not  known  whether 
he  recovered  or  not,  nor  is  his  name  now  remembered. 

After  the  storm  had  abated,  the  crew  and  several  passengers  re 
turned  on  board  the  ship,  now  fast  aground  and  in  no  possible 
danger. 

Chaplain  Whitchead,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  returning  from  leave  of 
absence,  had  joined  the  party  at  New  York.  In  the  labor  of  pre 
paring  the  shelter  he  was  a  most  active  and  efficient  assistant  and 
when  completed  was  rather  zealous  in  asserting  the  proprietorship 
of  his  party  over  the  improvised  caravansera.  A  couple  of  fellow 
passengers,  who  had  kindly  fulfilled  Capt.  Tuzo's  request  to  Capt. 
Price  to  have  a  lady  passenger's  trunk  safely  stowed  in  the  tent 
when  completed,  having  carried  it  from  the  beach,  sat  it  down  near 
the  middle  of  the  tent;  seeing  which  the  ardent  chaplain,  thinking 
it  an  innovation  of  the  proprieties  of  the  new  domicil,  promptly 
ordered  them  to  remove  it,  which  the  said  individuals,  not  exactly 
used  to  such  imperative  commands,  quietly  declined  to  do,  whereupon 
the  chaplain  seemed  likely  to  reassert  the  order  with  the  force  of 
his  party  to  back  it;  of  which  he  seemed  to  have  no  manner  of 
doubt,  until  informed  that  the  gentlemen,  in  placing  it  there,  had 
only  fulfilled  a  request  of  Capt.  Price,  on  behalf  of  Capt.  Tuzo  and 
the  lady  passenger,  and  had  no  disposition  to  violate  the  order  of 
the  tent.  The  incident  served  to  show,  however,  that  our  chaplain 
would  be  no  sinecuribt  in  a  defensive  skirmish  or  a  time  of  danger. 


RECORD   OF   RECRUITING    SERVICE.  383 

Upon  first  landing,  a  messenger  had  been  dispatched,  by  a  sail 
boat,  upon  an  inland  passage,  to  communicate  with  Glen.  Burnside's 
fleet,  either  at  Hatteras  Inlet  or  on  Uoanoke  Island,  distant  nearly 
sixty  miles,  in  order  to  have  a  vessel  sent  to  our  relief. 

On  May  19,  the  steam  transport  George  Peabody,  Capt.  Traverse, 
arrived  from  Hatteras  Inlet,  accompanied  by  Lieut.  W.  J.  Ellis. 
Assistant  Quarter-Master  U.  S.  A.,  who  rendered  efficient  assist 
ance  in  taking  up  the  passengers  and  their  baggage,  returning  to 
Hatteras  Inlet  the  same  evening.  The  party  remained  on  board 
the  George  Peabody  until  May  22;  then  embarked  on  board  the 
steam  transport  Albany,  Capt.  Lewis,  for  New  York.  The  Albany 
was  one  of  Gen.  Burnside's  fleet,  and  was  a  miserable  unscaworthy 
craft,  having  the  appearance  of  a  canal  barge,  with  an  upper  deck 
built  upon  it  and  engines  placed  in  it,  and  was  not  such  a  vessel  as 
any  one  would  voluntarily  undertake  a  voyage  in  from  Philadelphia 
to  Cape  May  with  any  very  certain  prospect  of  returning  safely. 
Capt.  Johnson  had  accompanied  the  party  on  the  tug,  intending  to 
take  passage  also;  but,  seeing  how  matters  looked,  remained  upon 
the  tug.  As  it  was  about  to  cast  off,  Capt.  Price,  observing  Capt. 
Johnson  still  on  the  tug,  asked  if  he  was  not  going  along.  He  smiled 
and  replied,  "  Not  if  he  could  help  it."  Calling  a  hasty  council  with 
his  men,  Capt.  Price  stated  his  views  of  the  shaky-looking  condition 
of  the  vessel  and  said,  "•  I  will  leave  it  to  you  whether  we  go  on  her 
or  wait  for  a  better-looking  ship."  They  all  said,  "  We  are  tired  of 
staying  here.  If  you  will  risk  her  we  will."  They,  therefore,  re 
mained  on  board  the  frail  craft,  which  arrived  safely  in  New  York 
on  May  24.  The  recruits  were  placed  in  quarters,  at  Franklin 
Street  barracks  for  subsistence,  to  await  another  vessel. 

On  May  29,  embarked  on  U.  S.  steam  transport  Ericsson,  and 
arrived  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  June  2;  applied  immediately  at  U.  8. 
Quarter-Master's  Office  for  transportation  to  North  Edisto,  where 
the  Regiment  was  supposed  to  be.  Gen.  Hunter's  expedition 
against  Charleston  had  just  sailed  for  Charleston  Harbor.  Gen. 
Hunter  had  boarded  the  Ericsson  as  it  came  in  the  harbor  to  meet 
his  family  who  were  on  board.  Capt.  Price,  desiring  to  have  his 
party  join  the  Regiment  without  delay,  applied  to  Gen.  Hunter  for 
permission  to  transfer  his  men  to  the  steamer  as  she-  lay  alongside, 
and  was  informed  by  Gen.  Hunter  that  he  would  with  pleasure  allow 
him  to  do  so  if  it  were  at  all  certain  the  troops  had  started  upon 
the  march.  He  thought  the  best  plan  would  be  to  go  to  Edisto  and 


384  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  there  to  Stono  River  if  the  Regiment  had  left  the  former  place. 
Finding  no  vessel  ready  for  Edisto  before  June  4,  the  delay  was 
vexatious  but  inevitable;  then  embarked  on  the  steamer  Cosmo 
politan,  arriving  at  Edisto  at  7  P.  M.,  on  the  4th,  and  found  the 
camp  of  the  Regiment  in  charge  of  Capt.  McConnell,  of  Company 
E,  then  an  invalid.  The  Regiment  had  marched,  on  June  2,  toward 
Charleston. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  again  embarked  on  the  Cosmopolitan, 
which  proceeded  to  Stono  River,  and  landed  at  Legareeville,  John's 
Island,  S.  C.,  where  the  Regiment  had  just  arrived;  reported  to  Col. 
Guss,  with  party  for  duty,  with  the  following  named  recruits:  Wil 
liam  Smith,  enlisted  March  27,  1862;  Thomas  P.  Williams,  enlisted 
April  7;  William  Wilson,  enlisted  April  17;  all  for  Company  K ; 
Henry  T.  Gray,  March  10,  for  Company  A,  and  Joseph  Wetherill, 
March  10,  for  Company  C. 

There  had  been  previously  forwarded  to  the  Regiment  the  fol 
lowing  named  recruits  enlisted  by  the  detachment,  viz.:  Amos  Y. 
Harry,  January  1, 1862;  James  Feely,  January  6;  Charles  L.  Gunkle, 
January  13;  James  N.  Foley,  January  13;  Aaron  J.  Phipps, 
January  18,;  Theodore  Beerbrower,  January  21;  Sebastian  Keeley, 
February  6;  William  J.  McCarter,  February  7;  Johnson  Wallace, 
February  7;  Jacob  G.  Lemp,  February  14;  Levi  B.  Walker,  Fe 
bruary  15;  Samuel  McHenry,  February  19;  John  Welsh,  February 
21,;  Joseph  R.  Montgomery,  February  24;  Lawrence  Fennings, 
February  26,  all  for  Company  K;  making  twenty  recruits  forwarded 
to  the  Regiment. 

Four  recruits  were  rejected  by  the  examining  surgeon:  John  A. 
Dodd,  Cecil  County,  Md.;  William  Bush,  Ulster,  Pa;  Byard  C.  Daily, 
Chester  County,  and  Dominick  Rodgers,  West  Chester.  Two  re 
cruits,  William  Jameson,  of  Tyrone,  Ireland,  and  Worthington  C. 
Hawkins,  of  Philadelphia,  deserted  and  were  never  recaptured. 

The  next  detail  for  recruiting  service  was  made  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  on  September  10,  1862,  by  the  following  order: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  97TH  P.  V.,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C., 

September  10,  1862. 
Special  Orders  No.  14. 

In  pursuance  of  General  Orders  No.  88,  from  the  War  Depart 
ment,  Adjutant  General's  Office,  Washington,  D.  C.,  dated  July  25? 
1862:  Capts.  Francis  M.  Guss,  Company  A;  William  Wayne,  Com- 


RECORD   OF   RECRUITING    SERVICE.  385 

pany  K;  Sergts.  John  E.  Davis,  Company  D;  Patrick  Carter,  Com 
pany  E;  Lee  A.  Stroud,  Company  F;  Corps.  William  H.  Martin, 
Company  A;  Gerhard  Reeder,  Company  B;  John  R.  Miller,  Com- 
pany  C;  William  P.  Hayman,  Company  I;  William  E.  Davis, 
Company  K;  Privates  Samuel  Lloyd,  Company  G,  and  Robert  L. 
Ains worth,  Company  H,  are  hereby  detailed  and  authorized  to  pro- 
eeed  to  West  Chester,  Pa.,  on  duty  connected  with  the  recruiting 
service  of  this  Regiment. 

By  command  of  LIEUT.  COL.  A.  P.  DUER. 

IST  LIEUT.  JOHN  J.  BARBER, 

By  command  of  Act'g  Adjt.  97th  P.  V. 

BRIG.  GEN.  JOHN  M.  BRANNAN,  Comd'g  Dept. 

Capt.  Guss  and  detachment  left  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  September  12, 
on  the  steamer  Ericsson,  arriving  at  New  York  on  the  15th;  pro 
ceeded  at  once  to  their  homes  in  West  Chester  and  vicinity,  where 
they  remained  for  a  few  days;  then  reported  to  Capt.  R.  I.  Dodge, 
8th  Infantry,  U.  S.  A.,  Superintendent  of  Recruiting  Service  at  Har- 
risburg,  Pa.  Capt.  Guss,  with  a  portion  of  the  men  Was  assigned 
to  duty  at  West  Chester,  and  Capt.  Wayne,  with  the  remainder, 
was  stationed  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg.  Success  in  recruiting 
was  very  limited.  No  notes  or  record  of  this  service  were  pre 
served  from  which  to  give  a  detailed  statement.  From  the  com 
pany  records,  it  appears  that  on  October  12,  1862,  three  recruits 
joined  the  Regiment  for  Company  A.  These  were  Henry  Albright, 
enlisted  September  23,  1862;  Robert  M.  Eisenbeis,  September  23, 
and  J.  Sylvester  Young,  September  25.  On  November  18,  1862, 
two  recruits  joined  for  Company  A:  Caleb  B.  Moore,  enlisted  Oc 
tober  16,  and  Allison  Gibson,  October  17. 

Capt.  Guss  and  recruiting  party  were  relieved  about  December 
12,  1862,  and  rejoined  the  Regiment,  at  St.  Helena,  on  December 
25,  having  in  charge  the  following  recruits:  Joseph  Y.  Norton,  en 
listed  October  5,  1862,  and  John  G.  Herkins,  October  22.  for  Com 
pany  G;  William  Miles,  October  27,  and  another  recruit,  name 
and  date  not  given,  for  Company  K;  William  Day,  October  28, 
for  Company  A;  making  in  all  eleven  recruits  obtained  bv  the 
detachment. 

Capt.  William  Wayne  did  not  return  to  the  Regiment,  having 
tendered  his  resignation  in  consequence  of  impaired  health   from 
exposure  and   malaria   incident  to   the  climate  of  the  south      He 
25 


386  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

was  honorably  discharged,  on  January  19,  1863,  by  order  of  the 
War  Department.  As  an  officer,  he  possessed  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  all  and  was  much  beloved  by  his  company.  His  loss 
from  the  Regiment  was  very  much  regretted,  both  on  account  of 
his  sterling  merit  and  social  worth. 

The  third  recruiting  party  was  detailed,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C., 
about  October  24,  1862,  consisting  of  Capts.  William  McConnell, 
Company  E,  and  George  W.  Hawkins,  Company  I ;  Sergt.  Isaac  J. 
Burton,  Company  A,  and  one  man  from  each  of  the  other  com 
panies.  A  copy  of  the  order  or  a  list  of  the  names  has  not  been 
obtained.  They  were  directed  to  proceed  to  Pennsylvania  to  re 
lieve  Capts.  Guss  and  Wayne  upon  that  service.  Capts.  McConnell 
and  Hawkins  and  their  men  reported  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  some  time 
in  November,  1862,  and  were  directed  by  Capt.  Dodge,  Superinten 
dent  of  Recruiting  Service,  to  proceed  to  the  counties  of  Chester 
and  Delaware  and  take  charge  of  the  recruiting  service  in  that  dis 
trict.  It  has  been  found  impossible  to  obtain  any  account  of  this 
service,  owing  to  the  subsequent  death  of  both  the  officers  above 
named.  Their  success  was  quite  limited.  They  continued  upon 
that  duty  until  relieved,  in  April,  1863,  and  were  then  ordered  to 
return  to  the  Regiment,  which  they  rejoined,  at  Seabrook  Point, 
S.  C  ,  on  April  25,  1863. 

On  July  22,  1863,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  by  direction  of  Gen. 
Gillmore,  Capt.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis,  Company  F,  and  Capt.  Caleb 
Hoopes,  Company  G,  were  detailed  by  Special  Order  No.  422,  Head- 
Quarters  Department  of  the  South,  dated  July  22,  1863,  to  proceed  to 
the  rendezvous  for  drafted  men  and  recruits  in  Pennsylvania,  in  order 
to  receive  and  conduct  to  the  Regiment  the  requisite  number  of  men 
to  fill  it  to  the  maximum  number  of  one  thousand  and  forty  men; 
two  hundred  and  ninety  being  required.  The  following  men  were 
detailed  to  accompany  them:  Corps.  John  T.  Taylor,  Company  A; 
Harvey  Highet,  Company  B;  Levis  Beidler,  Company  C;  Hillary 
Fox,  Company  G;  Privates  Abram  Fawkes,  Company  D,  and  John 
W.  Edwards,  Company  F. 

At  10  A.  M.  on  the  22d,  the  detail  went  on  board  a  small  steamer 
in  Light  House  Inlet  for  transfer  to  the  ocean  steamship  Arago. 
bound  from  Hilton  Head  to  New  York,  and  due  off  Charleston 
bar  at  2  P.  M.  The  steamer  hove  in  sight  by  the  time  the  harbor 
vessel  reached  the  bar.  The  party  was  soon  standing  on  the  deck 
of  the  steamer  in  joyous  anticipation  of  meeting  their  families  and 


RECORD   OF    RECRUITING    SERVICE.  387 

friends,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  two  years.  Adieus  were  made 
to  a  few  brother  officers  and  soldiers,  who  had  accompanied  them, 
who  were  now  to  return  to  duty  and  danger  at  the  front.  The  lines 
were  cast  off  and  the  signal  given  to  start.  It  was  hardly  reali/cd 
that  their  faces  were  really  turned  homeward  until  the  land  receded 
from  view. 

The  weather  was  fine  and  the  steamer  made  splendid  headway. 
There  were  nearly  five  hundred  on  board,  exclusive  of  the  wounded. 
Upon  comparing  notes  as  to  the  seniority  of  commission,  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  officer  entitled  to  the  command  of  the  troops,  in 
conformity  with  standing  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  it  was  found 
that  Capt.  Lewis  was  the  ranking  officer;  but,  being  an  invalid, 
he  declined  to  take  command.  During  the  first  night  at  sea,  Capt. 
Lewis,  being  upon  deck  and  looking  over  the  side,  noticed  the  vessel 
seemed  to  strike  something  floating  in  the  water  every  few  minutes. 
Upon  calling  Capt.  Gadsden's  attention  to  this,  he  ascertained  it  was 
cotton  bales  evidently  thrown  overboard  from  a  blockade  runner, 
which  no  doubt  had  mistaken  his  steamer  for  a  man-of-war  and  was 
trying  to  escape.  As  soon  as  it  was  sufficiently  light  for  observa 
tion,  a  line  of  bales  could  be  seen  reaching  far  away  to  the  horizon 
where  a  faint  line  of  black  smoke  indicated  the  position  of  the 
frightened  blockade  runner.  The  course  of  the  Arago  was  along 
the  outer  edge  of  the  Gulf  Stream.  After  a  short  consultation  with 
the  officers  on  board,  Capt.  Gadsden  concluded  to  give  chase  and 
gave  the  order  to  "  'bout  ship.'  Arrangements  were  then  made  to 
prepare  the  ship  for  action.  Fortunately,  there  was  on  board  a  ser 
geant  with  a  small  detachment  of  Capt  Hamilton's  Battery  (3d 
U.  S.  Art'y).  The  sergeant  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  armament 
of  the  vessel,  consisting  of  two  thirty-pound  rifled  Parrott  guns 
and  two  thirty-pound  smooth-bore  pieces.  A  detail  of  his  men  soon 
prepared  ammunition  for  the  guns.  Details  were  made  from  the 
infantry  and  cavalry  troops  on  board  to  assist  in  working  them. 

By  8  A.  M.,  the  chase  was  at  the  utmost  speed  of  both  vessels, 
the  blockade  runner  heading  for  Nassau.  The  excitement  on  board 
the  Arago  became  intense  as  she  gained  perceptibly  upon  the  fugi 
tive.  By  12  M.,  her  lower  rigging  and  hull  could  be  discerned, 
her  smoke-stack  rolling  out  immense  volumes  of  black  smoke, 
indicating  that  her  commander  was  making  every  effort  to  escape. 
But  these  were  of  no  avail,  as  the  Arago  gained  rapidly,  and  by 
3.30  P.  M.  had  closed  the  distance  between  the  vessels  to  less  than 


388  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

three  miles.  The  order  was  then  given  to  fire  a  gun  as  a  signal  to 
lay  to,  but  there  was  no  disposition  to  regard  the  summons.  The 
order  was  then  given  to  put  a  shot  across  her  deck,  which  was 
quickly  done  by  the  accurate  aim  of  the  artillerymen.  Two  others 
followed  in  rapid  succession.  The  fourth  shot  cut  the  rigging  and 
sent  the  spars  down  over  their  heads,  when  the  fleeing  craft  lay  to 
and  hauled  down  their  flag  (British)  in  token  of  surrender.  A  boat 
was  lowered  from  the  Arago,  and  an  officer  with  a  guard  sent  to 
take  possession  of  the  prize  thus  captured  after  an  exciting  chase  of 
thirteen  hours.  She  proved  to  be  a  Clyde-built  steamer,  named  the 
Emma,  commanded  by  Capt.  Leslie,  forty-eight  hours  from  Wilming 
ton,  N.  C.,  when  discovered — being  loaded  with  cotton  and  rosin, 
bound  for  Nassau.  In  trying  to  make  her  escape,  during  the  night, 
they  had  thrown  overboard  about  two  hundred  bales  of  cotton. 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  prize  were  transferred  to  the  Arago, 
and  a  hawser  attached  to  the  prize,  when  the  prow  of  the  Arago 
again  turned  northward.  The  officers  and  crew,  when  brought  on 
board  the  Arago,  were  found  to  be  the  most  crest-fallen  set  of  Johnny 
Bulls  imaginable.  It  was  their  first  venture,  with  the  exception  of 
the  captain,  who  was  an  old  hand  at  the  business.  The  prospect  of 
an  inside  view  of  a  "  Blarsted  Yankee  Prison"  was  anything  but 
agreeable  to  them. 

The  Arago  arrived  safely  in  New  York  Harbor  with  her  prize, 
on  Sunday,  July  27,  creating  quite  an  excitement  in  that  city. 

The  detachment,  under  command  of  Capt.  Lewis,  took  cars  the 
same  evening,  and  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  the  morning  of  the 
28th,  at  2  o'clock.  Reported  the  same  day  for  duty  at  department 
head-quarters,  and  were  ordered  to  Camp  Cadwalader. 

The  officers  and  men  were  subsequently  permitted  to  visit  their 
homes  for  a  short  time.  But  they  remained  upon  duty  chiefly  at 
Camp  Cadwalader  until  October  29.  At  this  time,  orders  were  re 
ceived  by  Capt.  Lewis  to  take  charge  of  .a  detachment  of  men  as 
signed  to  regiments  at  different  stations  in  the  Department  of  the 
South;  among  them  a  number  for  the  97th  P.  V.  He  had  with  him, 
on  the  return,  Corps.  John  T.  Taylor,  Company  A;  Levis  Beidler, 
Company  C,  and  Hillary  Fox,  Company  G.  They  sailed  on  the 
steamer  Rebecca  Clyde,  from  Philadelphia,  October  29,  and  had  a 
stormy  passage  to  Fernandina,  Fla.,  where  the  Regiment  was  then 
stationed. 

Capt.    Hoopes,   with   Corp.   Highet,  Company   B,   and   Privates 


RECORD  OF  RECRUITING  SERVICE. 

Abram  Fawkes,  Company  D,  and  John  W.  Edwards,  Company  F, 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  similar  detachment  within  a  few  days  after 
the  departure  of  Capt.  Lewis.  They  left  Philadelphia  on  the  trans 
port  Beaufort,  about  November  4,  for  Hilton  Head  and  Fernandina, 
having  also  detachments  of  men  for  regiments  at  the  former  place. 

Capt.  Lewis,  with  his  detachment,  having  in  charge  two  hundred 
and  eighteen  substitutes  and  conscripts  for  the  97th  P.  V.,  arrived 
at  Fernandina,  November  5,  1863;  and,  on  November  14,  Capt. 
Hoopes  arrived  with  his  detachment,  having  in  charge  seventy  sub 
stitutes  and  conscripts,  a  total  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  men 
for  the  Regiment. 

An  account  of  the  means  taken  to  land  these  men  and  bring  them 
into  subjection  to  the  authority  of  the  officers  is  elsewhere  given; 
also  the  assignment  of  the  men  to  the  different  companies. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  1864,  Col.  Pennypacker,  being 
desirous  of  having  the  depleted  ranks  of  his  Regiment  refilled,  made 
application,  at  department  head-quarters,  to  have  an  officer  detailed 
to  proceed  to  the  rendezvous  for  recruiting  service  in  Pennsylvania, 
to  endeavor  to  obtain  the  requisite  recruits,  substitutes  or  drafted 
men.  For  this  service,  Maj.  I.  Price,  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  detailed 
in  the  following  order: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  VIRGINIA  AND  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

IN  THE  FIELD,  VIRGINIA,  September  15,  1864. 
Special  Order  No.  254. 

*         *  The    following  named  officers  will  proceed  to 

the  rendezvous  of  their  respective  States  for  the  purpose  of  obtain 
ing  recruits  or  drafted  men  to  fill  up  the  commands  to  which  they 
belong.     Their  absence  not  to  exceed  fifteen  days. 
***** 

Maj.  Isaiah  Price,  97th  Pa.  Vols. 

***** 

By  command  of  MAJ.  GEN.  BUTLER, 

[Signed]  R.  S.  DAVIS,  A.  A.  G. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  !()TH  CORPS,  September  16,  1864. 
Official. 

[Signed]        CHARLES  H.  GRAVES,  A.  A.  G. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  2o  DIVISION,  I()TH  CORPS,  September  16,  1864. 
Official. 

[Signed]         R.  A.  DAVIS,  Captain  and  A.  A.  G. 


390  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Being  delayed  at  Fortress  Monroe  several  days,  awaiting  transpor 
tation  for  the  discharged  men  of  his  late  company,  returning  with 
him,  Maj.  Price  arrived  in  Philadelphia  and  reported  at  the  draft 
rendezvous,  on  September  26,  when  the  following  endorsement  was 
placed  upon  his  order: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  RENDEZVOUS  DRAFTED  MEN, 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.,  September  26,  1864. 
Official. 

[Signed]  CHARLES  E.  ETTING,  Captain  and  A.  A.  G. 

Upon  making  application  for  recruits,  and  urging  Col.  Penny- 
packer's  desire  to  have  the  Regiment  filled,  Maj.  Price  was  informed 
that  nothing  beyond  the  usual  course  of  assignment,  by  official  di 
rection  from  head-quarters,  was  possible;  that  he  could  only  file 
his  application  and  await  further  notice.  He  then  proceeded  to 
Harrisburg,  where  he  had  an  interview  with  Gov.  Curtin,  by 
whom  he  was  most  cordially  received.  The  application  to  have  the 
Regiment  filled  was  urged  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  The  assurance 
was  given,  by  the  Governor,  that  every  effort  would  be  made  to 
forward  the  men  required  to  the  Regiment  at  as  early  a  time  as 
possible. 

Maj.  Price,  having  been  mustered  out  of  service,  on  Septem 
ber  17,  1864,  was  deprived  of  the  opportunity  to  extend  his  efforts 
officially  beyond  the  time  named  in  the  order  detailing  him  upon 
this  service.  He  had  the  satisfaction,  however,  of  hearing,  soon 
after  making  his  report  in  writing  to  Col.  Pennypacker,  at  his  bri 
gade  head-quarters,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  that  sufficient  recruits 
and  drafted  men  were  received  by  the  Regiment,  at  Chapin's  Farm, 
Va.,  to  give  it  the  minimum  aggregate  for  a  regiment.  There  were 
subsequently  received  about  four  hundred  and  three  recruits  and 
drafted  men,  at  Faisson's  Station,  N.  C.,  about  April  1,  1865,  which 
filled  the  Regiment  to  the  maximum  number.  These  men  had 
mostly  entered  the  service  for  one  year.  They  were  discharged 
with  the  Regiment,  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  August  28,  1865. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES   OF    FIELD    OFFICERS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  FIELD  OFFICERS  WHO  COMMANDED,  AND 
SOME  OF  THE  STAFF  OFFICERS  WHO  SERVED  WITH,  THE  NlNETY- 
SEVENTH  REGIMENT  DURING  THE  MOST  EVENTFUL  AND  ARDUOUS 
PERIOD  OF  THE  WAR. 


HE  history  of  the  Ninety-Seventh  Regiment  would 


be  incomplete  if,  to  the  preceding  pages,  was  only 
added  the  roster  of  names  borne  upon  its  muster 
rolls,  that  present  briefly  the  record  of  each  officer 
and  man  who  served  with  the  Regiment. 

The  qualities  of  personal  character  of  some  of 
those  prominent  in  their  connection  with  the  com 
mand,  and  with  the  responsibilities  encountered, 
bear  so  close  a  relation  to  the  brilliant  achieve 
ments  secured,  that  these  may  safely  be  said  to  have  resulted  largely 
from  the  force  of  character  that  gave  direction  to  the  movements 
of  the  Regiment;  educating  it  to  the  highest  standard  of  capability 
as  an  effective,  reliable  force,  thus  enabling  it  to  reach  the  enviable 
position  it  occupies  with  the  invincible  host  of  Pennsylvania  and 
national  troops. 

To  omit  some  more  definite  reference  to  these  influences,  than 
could  be  given  in  connection  with  the  narrative  of  the  service, 
would  be  a  grave  disregard  of  the  sources  from  which  the  Regiment 
derived  chiefly  its  ability  to  win  the  good  name  and  the  opportunity 
to  wear  the  laurels  that  have  crowned  its  efforts  upon  many  fields 
of  service  during  the  memorable  period  of  the  war. 

It,  therefore,  becomes  the  duty  as  well  as  the  pleasure  of  the  his 
torian,  to  present  here  biographical  sketches  of  some  of  those  thus 
closely  identified  with  the  services  and  success  of  the  organization 
they  feel  honored  in  having  served  with;  claiming  only  for  them 
selves  the  motive  influence  of  an  honest,  patriotic  purpose,  that  was 
alike  the  incentive  to  action  of  all,  of  whatever  rank  or  position, 


392  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

who  shared  in  the  toils  and  duties  of  the  camp,  and  encountered 
together  the  dangers  of  the  field.  All  are  alike  deserving  in  the 
remembrance  and  the  gratitude  of  their  countrymen  and  of  pos 
terity. 

HENRY  R.  Guss,  COLONEL  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PENNSYL 
VANIA  VOLUNTEERS;  BREVET  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  AND  BREVET 
MAJOR  GENERAL,  U.  S.  VOLS. 

Henry  Ruhl  Guss  was  born  July  28,  1825,  at  Chester  Springs, 
Chester  County,  Pa.  His  father,  Samuel  Guss,  also  a  native  of 
Chester  County,  was  of  German  descent,  born  July  4,  1796. 
In  1836,  he  removed  to  West  Chester,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  May  11,  1859.  He  became  a  large  property  holder,  and 
added  much  to  the  improvement  of  that  part  of  the  town  known  as 
South  Walnut  Street.  He  was  well  known  throughout  the  county 
and  held  in  high  esteem. 

Henry  R.  Guss  received  his  education  at  the  neighboring  day- 
schools  and  at  Joshua  Hoopes'  Academy,  in  West  Chester.  It  em 
braced  all  the  branches  of  a  liberal  English  education. 

Upon  the  organization  of  that  well-known  and  favorite  volunteer 
company,  the  National  Guards  of  West  Chester,  in  1846,  he  was 
one  of  its  first  members. 

On  September  11,  1854,  he  was  commissioned,  by  Gov.  William 
Bigler,  as  1st  lieutenant  of  the  company,  and  on  June  6,  1859,  he 
became  its  commanding  officer,  having  received  a  commission,  as 
captain  of  the  National  Guards,  from  Gov.  William  F.  Packer.  He 
continued  in  command  until  the  beginning  of  the  war.  With  his 
company,  he  then  entered  the  three  months'  service. 

The  organization  was  well  disciplined,  and  one  of  the  best  mili 
tary  companies  of  the  State.  Every  member  of  the  company,  who 
was  physically  able,  entered  the  army  at  the  outbreak  of  the  late 
rebellion,  and  all  who  remained  in  service  during  the  three  years' 
term  became  officers. 

When  the  first  call  for  troops  was  issued  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  Capt.  Guss,  with  the  National  Guards,  was  found 
practically  responding  to  the  call.  He  called  out  the  company  and 
received  the  names  of  all  who  desired  to  volunteer  for  the  service. 

On  April  21,  1861,  he  left  West  Chester  and  proceeded  to  Har- 
risburg  with  over  three  hundred  as  effective  men  as  could  be  raised 


HENRY   R.  GUSS,  BREVET   MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  VOLS.  393 

in  Chester  County.  At  Harrisburg,  the  men  were  placed  in  Camp 
Curtin.  Three  companies  were  formed  of  their  number  and  as 
signed  to  the  9th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under 
Col.  Henry  C.  Longnecker,  of  Allentown,  being  designated  as  com 
panies  A,  E  and  F. 

The  commissioned  and  non-commissioned  officers  of  these  three 
companies  were  mainly  selected  from  the  National  Guards.  Capt. 
Guss  was  offered  a  position  as  colonel  of  another  regiment,  but  de 
clined  acceptance,  desiring  to  remain  with  the  men  he  had  brought 
into  the  service.  His  commission  as  captain  in  the  three  months' 
service  was  issued  by  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin,  and  designated  him  to  the 
command  of  Company  A,  National  Guards,  9th  Regiment  P.  V., 
1st  brigade,  1st  division,  of  the  Counties  of  Chester  and  Lancaster, 
and  was  dated  April  24,  1861. 

While  at  Camp  Curtin,  Capt.  Guss  frequently  exercised  the  old 
members  of  the  National  Guards  in  the  various  movements,  which 
were  so  well  executed  that  encomiums  were  showered  upon  the  men 
from  all  sides.  Their  proficiency  in  the  heavy  infantry  drill  was 
conspicuous.  The  Guards  were  considered  the  best  drilled  company 
in  the  camp  during  their  stay  at  Harrisburg.  Their  commanding 
officer  had  been  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  make  the  men  proficient. 

Although  entering  the  service  on  April  19,  1861,  Capt.  Guss  and 
his  men  were  not  mustered  until  the  22d. 

The  9th  Regiment  was  first  ordered  to  West  Chester,  where,  in 
conjunction  with  the  llth  P.  V.,  it  was  the  first  to  occupy  Camp 
Wayne,  preparing  for  the  active  duties  of  the  field. 

Leaving  Camp  Wayne,  on  May  26,  the  9th  Regiment  was  ordered 
by  railroad  to  Hare's  Corner,  at  the  intersection  of  the  road  leading 
from  Wilmington  to  New  Castle,  in  the  State  of  Delaware.  After 
remaining  there  about  ten  days,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join 
Maj.  Gen.  Robert  Patterson's  command,  at  Chambersburg,  Pa., 
where  it  arrived,  by  railroad,  on  June  7,  and  went  into  camp  outside 
the  town.  Here  the  regiment  was  brigaded  with  the  2d  and  3d 
U.  S.  Infty.  Regiments  and  the  13th  and  16th  P.  V.  It  was  the 
4th  brigade,  commanded  by  Col.  Dixson  S.  Miles,  2d  U.  S.  Infty., 
in  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  George  Cadwalader's  division.  From  this 
time,  to  the  date  of  its  muster-out,  the  9th  Regiment  was  continually 
kept  on  the  march  and  counter-march.  It  forded  the  beautiful  Po 
tomac  River  to  the  Virginia  side,  into  Berkeley  County.  The 
National  Guards,  headed  by  Capt.  Guss,  were  the  first  Pennsylvania 


394  HISTORY    OP    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

troops  to  cross  the  Potomac  west  of  Alexandria.  The  regiment  en 
camped  upon  a  portion  of  the  battle  ground  the  night  following 
the  engagement  at  Falling  Waters,  Va.;  then  marched  to  Martins- 
burg,  Bunker  Hill  and  Charlestown,  encamping  at  each  place  for  a 
short  period.  The  term  of  service  having  now  expired,  it  was 
ordered,  from  the  latter  place,  to  Harrisburg,  passing  through 
Harper's  Ferry  and  Hagerstown.  The  regiment  was  paid  and 
mustered  out  of  service  on  July  29,  the  troops  returning  home. 

On  July  25,  1861,  Capt.  Guss  received  a  commission  as  colonel, 
with  authority,  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  raise  a  regiment  for 
the  three  years'  service,  in  the  (then)  7th  Congressional  District  of 
Pennsylvania,  composed  of  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties.  Upon 
his  return  home  from  the  three  months'  service,  he  immediately  set 
about  recruiting  the  same. 

He  was  assisted  in  this  patriotic  work  by  several  gentlemen  who 
had  served  under  him  in  the  three  months'  campaign,  and  who  had 
obtained  some  practical  knowledge  of  the  duties  of  a  soldier,  and 
by  some  others  whose  co-operation  he  invited,  from  his  belief  in 
their  ability  to  promote  his  object  and  to  render  effective  service. 

The  first  company  was  mustered  on  August  22,  1861,  and  the  last 
on  the  29th  of  October  following.  When  the  necessary  equipage 
was  furnished,  the  Regiment  was  exercised,  in  company  and  bat 
talion  drill,  by  Col.  Guss  and  his  field  officers,  with  great  assiduity; 
inspections  were  regularly  had,  and  vigorous  measures  taken  to 
make  the  Regiment  effective.  Strict  discipline  was  enforced  and 
close  attention  paid  to  the  cleanliness  and  health  of  the  men. 

The  97th  P.  V.  was  ordered  to  Washington,  on  November  16, 
1861,  via  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore;  thence  to  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va.,  and  subsequently  to  the  Department  of  the  South.  It  arrived 
at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  on  December  15.  Here  the  Regiment  was 
brigaded  in  the  Expeditionary  Corps,  under  Brig.  Gen.  (since  major 
general)  Horatio  Gates  Wright. 

Col.  Guss  commanded  his  Regiment  during  the  expedition  that 
resulted  in  the  reduction  of  Fort  Pulaski,  Ga.,  the  occupation  of 
Fort  Clinch,  Fernandina,  Jacksonville,  and  other  important  points 
on  and  near  the  Florida  coast,  early  in  1862,  and  through  the 
arduous  James  Island  (S.  C.)  campaign,  in  the  following  summer, 
with  marked  ability,  as  is  well  attested  by  the  oificial  records.  He 
was  highly  complimented  by  Gen.  Wright  and  by  Col.  Robert  Wil 
liams  (1st  Mass.  Ca\alry),  commanding  brigade,  for  the  manner  in 


HENRY    R.  GUSS,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  VOLS.  395 

which  he  maneuvered  his  command  in  action,  both  at  Grimball's 
Plantation,  June  10,  1862,  where  he  commanded  the  forces  engaged, 
repulsing  the  enemy,  and  at  Secessionville,  June  16,  1862.  The 
complimentary  letter  of  Col.  Williams  to  Gov.  Curtin,  and  the 
orders  issued  by  that  officer  complimenting  his  troops,  are  given  in 
previous  pages  of  this  history. 

On  August  1,  1862,  Col.  Guss  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  most  important  post  in  the  department — Hilton  Head — by  Gen. 
Hunter,  which  command  he  retained  under  the  subsequent  adminis 
trations  of  Gens.  Brannan  and  Mitchcl  until  September  22,  and 
from  October  30  to  November  10,  1862,  when  he  returned  to  the 
command  of  his  Regiment.  He  was  afterward  placed  in  command 
of  the  post  of  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  where  his  Regiment  was 
sent  to  recuperate  the  health  of  the  men,  many  of  whom  were 
prostrated  with  intermittent  and  yellow  fevers.  During  his  ad 
ministration  as  post  commander,  both  at  Hilton  Head  and  St.  He 
lena,  Col.  Guss  made  many  warm  friends  and  deservedly  attached 
to  him  his  entire  command  and  the  civilians  at  the  post;  discharging 
his  duties  to  the  utmost  satisfaction  of  the  commanding  general. 

Gen.  Hunter,  having  decided  to  organi/e  the  contrabands  of  the 
department  for  service  as  troops,  orders  were  issued  to  commanders 
of  regiments  to  forward  the  application  of  such  non-commissioned 
officers  and  men  as  were  qualified  and  desirous  of  accepting  pro 
motion  in  the  colored  regiments;  in  complying  with  which  Col. 
Guss  addressed  some  inquiries  and  suggestions  to  Gen.  Hunter, 
which  elicited  the  following  reply: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  SOUTH, 
HILTON  HEAD,  PORT  ROYAL,  S.  C.,  March  11,  1863. 
COL.  H.  R.  Guss,  Commanding  97th  P.  V., 

COLONEL:  I  am  instructed,  by  the  major  general  commanding,  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  as  to  non-commis 
sioned  officers  of  your  regiment,  who  are  recommended  for  commis 
sions  in  the  South  Carolina  regiments  now  in  process  of  being 
organized,  and  to  thank  you  for  your  kindly  interest  in  the  matter. 

None  of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  serving  in  regiments 
destined  to  take  part  in  pending  operations  in  another  quarter,  will, 
even,  if  selected  for  commissions,  be  relieved  from  duty  with  their 
present  regiments  until  after  the  termination  of  the  operations  re 
ferred  to. 


396  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  major  general  commanding  thanks  you  for  your  suggestions, 
and  will  be  happy  to  make  these  commissions  a  reward  for  those 
deserving  non-commissioned  officers  who  cannot  find  the  promotion 
earned  by  their  merit  in  the  regiments  to  which  they  belong. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obe 
dient  servant,  CHARLES  G.  HALPINE, 

Tenth  A.  C.  and  Dep't  South.  A.  A.  General. 

When  Gen.  Hunter  organized  his  second  expedition  against 
Charleston,  in  April,  1863,  he  assigned  Col.  Guss  to  the  command 
of  the  1st  brigade  in  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry's  division  of  the  10th  Corps. 
Upon  the  return  of  the  expedition,  which  was  unsuccessful,  Col. 
Guss  was  ordered  successively  to  the  command  of  the  posts  of  Edisto 
and  Botany  Bay.  He  was  relieved  at  the  latter  place  by  Brig.  Gen. 
George  G.  Strong,  in  June,  in  order  to  participate  in  the  active 
movements  about  to  be  renewed  in  the  direction  of  Charleston. 

Upon  the  cessation  of  active  operations  and  the  withdrawal  of 
Gen.  Hunter's  command,  about  May  1,  1863,  before  receiving  notice 
of  his  appointment  to  the  command  of  Botany  Bay,  Col.  Guss, 
having  served  continually  since  November  16,  1861,  applied  for 
twenty  days'  leave  of  absence,  in  order  to  visit  his  home.  This  ap 
plication  was  forwarded  to  Gen.  Hunter's  head-quarters  through 
Brig.  Gen.  T.  G.  Stevenson,  commanding  United  States  forces  on 
the  Edisto.  It  was  by  Gen.  Hunter  referred  to  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H. 
Terry,  for  his  examination  and  return,  as  follows - 

E.  B.,  765,  D.  S.,  1863. 

Respectfully  referred  to  Brig.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  for  his  recom 
mendation.  This  application  shows  on  its  face  that  Col.  Guss  made 
it  before  being  aware  of  having  been  placed  in  command  of  Botany 
Bay  Island. 

By  command  of  MAJ.  GEN.  HUNTER, 

Received  May  8,  1863.  CHARLES  G.  HALPINE,  A.  A.  G. 

This  was  returned,  by  Gen.  Terry,  endorsed  as  follows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS  UNITED  STATES  FORCES,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C. 

May  9,  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  with  the  recommendation  that  leave  be 
granted  to  this  very  exemplary  and  deserving  officer. 

ALFRED  H.  TERRY, 

Brig.  Gen.  Commanding  Post. 


HENRY    R.  GUSS,  BREVET   MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  VOLS.  397 

The  application  was  returned  from  department  head-quarters,  en 
dorsed  as  follows: 

E.  13.,  805,  D.  S.,  1863. 
HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  SOUTH,  HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C., 

May  11,  1863. 

Respectfully  returned  through  Gen.  Thomas  G.  Stevenson.     The 
services  of  Col.  Guss  cannot  be  spared,  at  the  present  time,  from 
the  command  of  Botany  Bay  Island.         *          *         * 
By  command  of  MAJ.  GEN.  HUNTER. 

CHARLES  G.  H ALPINE,  A.  A.  G. 

About  this  time,  Gen.  Hunter  was  relieved  of  the -command  of 
the  department,  by  Brig.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore,  who  immediately 
commenced  active  operations  on  James,  Folly  and  Morris  Islands. 
Col.  Guss  was  again  entrusted  with  a  most  important  command,  that 
of  the  1st  brigade,  1st  division,  10th  Corps,  on  Morris  Island,  which 
position  he  held,  without  interruption,  during  the  arduous  and  active 
operations  that  followed,  including  the  assaults  upon  and  the  siege 
of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  in  which  his  command  actively  parti 
cipated  until  the  entire  island  was  wrested  from  the  enemy. 

It  is  sufficient  testimony  to  the  courage  and  ability  of  Col.  Guss, 
to  know  that  he  was  selected  by  Gen.  Gillmore  to  leacj  the  "forlorn 
hope"  in  the  final  assault  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  September  7,  1863,  the  storming  party  to  consist  of  the  97th 
P.  V.  and  the  3d  N.  II.,  both  of  his  brigade.  He  was  highly  com 
plimented,  by  Gens.  Gillmore  and  Terry,  for  his  promptness  and 
gallantry  in  leading  his  command  to  the  attack,  the  evacuation  not 
being  discovered  until  his  forces  reached  the  parapet  of  the  works. 

On  October  1,  1863,  Col.  Guss,  with  the  97th  P.  V.,  was  ordered 
to  Fernandina,  Fla.,  where  he  was  directed  to  relieve  the  command 
ing  officer  at  that  post  and  to  take  command  of  the  United  States 
forces  at  that  place.  He  administered  his  responsible  and  delicate 
duties  courteously  and  impartially,  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  the 
army  and  the  citizens,  and  deservedly  attained  the  respect  and  con 
fidence  of  the  entire  community.  He  retained  command  of  the 
post  of  Fernandina  until  April  1,  1864,  when  he  received  his  first 
leave  of  absence  to  accompany  the  re-enlisted  veterans  of  his  Regi 
ment  home  on  a  thirty  days'  furlough. 

He  rejoined  the  Regiment  on  May  14,  1864.  Gen.  Gillmore  im 
mediately  assigned  him  to  the  command  of  the  1st  brigade,  3d  divi- 


398  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

sion,  10th  Corps,  then  with  Gen.  Butler's  Army  of  the  James  at 
Bermuda  Hundred,  Va. 

He  retained  this  position,  during  the  active  operations  on  the 
south  side  of  the  James,  until  June  2,  1864,  when,  for  reasons  of  a 
personal  nature — which  being  known  to  the  officers  of  the  Regiment, 
who,  while  deeply  regretting,  admitted  the  necessity  of  the  step — he 
tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  duly  accepted  by  the  command 
ing  general  on  June  22.  He  accordingly  returned  home,  parting 
with  the  officers  and  men  just  as  the  Regiment  was  leaving  camp, 
at  Bermuda  Hundred,  to  return  to  the  front  of  Petersburg,  on  June 
23,  1864.  All  felt  deeply  sensible  of  having  lost  an  officer  who  had 
been  to  them  a  true  friend. 

In  the  record  of  the  Regiment  organized  in  the  7th  Congressional 
district,  the  people  have  just  cause  of  pride;  the  brave  and  self- 
sacrificing  conduct  of  its  officers  and  men  in  the  field  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  them.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  or 
ganization  owes  its  formation,  and  in  great  part  its  subsequent  effi 
ciency  and  good  discipline,  to  Col.  Guss,  its  first  commanding  officer, 
who  brought  it  to  such  a  state  of  perfection  as  to  entitle  it  to  be 
recognized  as  second  to  none  in  the  old  10th  Corps. 

By  the  officers  and  men  of  his  Regiment  and  brigade  he  was 
highly  esteemed  both  as  a  gentleman  and  soldier.  His  bravery  and 
patriotism  in  the  field  were  only  equalled  by  his  gentlemanly  deport 
ment  and  kindness  at  home.  There  he  has  always  been  known  as 
an  unpretending  and  unobtrusive  citizen;  in  the  service  he  was  dis 
tinguished  as  an  unpretending  yet  efficient  soldier.  The  charac 
teristics  that  made  him  popular  at  home  served  him  better  in  the 
field,  being  emphatically  a  man  of  deeds,  not  words.  Deeds  there 
availed  far  more  than  words.  He  was  in  all  the  battles,  skirmishes, 
sieges  and  captures  in  which  his  command  was  engaged  until  his 
discharge.  In  action  he  was  cool  and  brave,  and  always  ma- 
nosuvered  his  troops  to  the  best  advantage.  He  was  one  of  the 
senior  colonels  from  Pennsylvania,  who  entered  the  three  years' 
service,  and  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  officers,  as  a  brigade  com 
mander,  in  the  old  10th  Corps. 

On  May  21,  1867,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Hon.  John 
M.  Broomall,  member  of  Congress  from  the  district,  Col.  Guss  re 
ceived  promotion  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  Hon.  Edwin  M.  Stan- 
ton,  to  brevet  brigadier  general,  and  on  June  17,  1867,  to  brevet 
major  general  U.  S.  Vols,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865,  "for  faithful 


G  PETSTNYPACIKEFv,  TJ.  S.-A-, 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          399 

and  meritorious  services  in  the  field  during  the  war,"  commissions 
being  received  August  5,  1867.  The  following  is  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Broomall,  upon  which  these  promotions  were  issued: 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  17,  1867. 
Ho\.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  most  respectfully  to  ask  that  the  brevet 
appointments  of  Brigadier  and  Major  General  of  Volunteers  may 
be  conferred  on  Henry  11.  Guss,  late  colonel  of  the  97th  Regiment 
Pa.  Vols.,  a  gallant  and  brave  officer,  for  meritorious  services  in  the 
field  during  the  war. 

Enclosed  please  find  a  short  statement  of  the  services  of  Col. 
Guss,  which  I  hope  may  meet  favorable  consideration. 

[Signed]  JOHN  M.  BROOMALL,  M.  C. 

Gen.  Guss  continues  to  reside  in  West  Chester,  which  has  always 
been  his  home,  where  he  is  respected  as  a  worthy  unobtrusive  citi 
zen,  who  never  sought  or  held  civil  office. 

GALUSHA  PENNYPACKER,  COLONEL  NINETY-SEVENTH  P.  V.,  BRIGA 
DIER  GENERAL  AND  BREVET  MAJOR  GENERAL,  U.  S.  V.;  COLONEL 
SIXTEENTH  INFANTRY,  U.  S.  ARMY,  AND  BREVET  BRIGADIER 
GENERAL  AND  BREVET  MAJOR  GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

The  primogenitor  of  the  family  of  Pennypacker,  in  America,  was 
Heinrich  Pannebacker,  who  was  born  in  March,  1674,  probably 
near  Crefelt,  on  the  Rhine,  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  prior  to  the 
year  1702,  and  settled  on  Skippack  Creek,  in  Philadelphia  (now 
Montgomery)  County. 

Heinrich  was  naturalized  in  1730,  and  died  April  4,  1754,  aged 
eighty  years  and  two  weeks.  His  descendants  settled  principally  in 
the  adjacent  counties  of  Montgomery,  Berks  and  Chester,  though 
various  members  of  the  later  generations  found  their  way  into  Vir 
ginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Mississippi,  their  names  being  found 
upon  the  records  of  those  States  in  connection  with  positions  of  im 
portance  and  trust.  Some  of  the  family  have  left  their  names  upon 
the  rolls,  showing  that  they  had  served  their  country  during  the 
Revolutionary  contest  and  the  War  of  1812-15. 

Matthias  Pennypacker,  a  grandson  of  Heinrich,  removed  from 
Skippack  in  1774  and  purchased  a  mill  on  Pickering  Creek,  in 
Chester  County.  He  was  a  bishop  of  the  sect  of  Mennonites,  a 


400  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

man  of  extensive  authority  and  influence,  of  great  benevolence  and 
justice,  of  whom  it  is  recorded  that  "  to  needy  neighbors  and  strug 
gling  young  men,  who  came  to  borrow  of  his  substance,  he  loaned 
freely,  without  interest  and  without  taking  note,  bond  or  mortgage. 
Toward  the  close  of  his  life  he  declared  that  through  this  practice  he 
had  never  lost  a  penny."* 

Joseph  J.  Pennypacker,  grandson  of  Matthias,  was  the  father  of 
Galusha,  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch.  He  resided,  during  the 
early  life  of  his  son,  near  Valley  Forge.  He  subsequently  served 
as  volunteer  aid-de-camp  upon  the  staff  of  Maj.  Gen.  Worth,  during 
the  Mexican  war,  after  which  he  became  a  resident  of  California. 

His  mother,  a  lady  of  wealth  and  many  accomplishments,  was 
Tamson  A.  Workizer,  the  only  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  A. 
Workizer,  of  Valley  Forge.  She  died  when  her  son  (the  only  child) 
was  three  years  old.  Galusha  was  born,  June  1,  1842,  at  the  his 
toric  locality  of  Valley  Forge,  in  a  house  occupied  by  Gen.  Wash 
ington  during  a  portion  of  the  time  his  troops  were  encamped  in 
that  vicinity  and  where  so  many  privations  were  encountered  and 
hardships  endured,  calculated  to  impress  the  very  soil  with  fitting 
influences  for  the  nurture  of  future  patriots.  His  boyhood  was 
passed  on  a  farm  near  Phcenixville,  Pa.,  under  the  care  of  his  pa 
ternal  grandmother,  Elizabeth  F.  Pennypacker,  whose  faithful  train 
ing  and  guardianship  contributed  largely  to  qualify  him  for  the 
eminent  service  he  has  rendered  his  country. 

He  received  a  liberal  academical  education  in  Chester  County. 
At  the  instance  of  his  grandmother,  he  had  entered  the  office  of  the 
Chester  County  Times,  at  West  Chester,  to  learn  the  printing  busi 
ness,  with  a  view  toward  an  editorial  career,  and  was  soon  entrusted 
with  the  charge  of  a  column  devoted  to  matters  of  youthful  interests. 
He,  however,  was  about  to  commence  the  study  of  law,  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years,  when  the  rebellion  broke  out  in  1861. 

His  "youthful  tastes  and  natural  bent"  being  toward  a  military 
life,  he  had,  while  a  printer  boy,  joined  the  volunteer  company  of 
National  Guards,  at  West  Chester,  commanded  by  Capt.  (afterward 
colonel  and  brevet  major  general)  H.  R.  Guss,  which  was  one  of 
the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  President  for  troops.  The 
drill  and  discipline  of  this  company,  through  the  efforts  of  its  com 
mander,  had  reached  a  point  of  excellence  second  to  none  in  the 


*  Annals  of  Phcenixville  and  Vicinity,  by  Sarnuel  W.  Pennypackcr,  Esq. 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          401 

State.  Pennypacker,  therefore,  soon  became  thoroughly  proficient 
in  the  various  movements,  evolutions  and  discipline  requisite  to  the 
perfection  of  soldierly  training. 

The  writer's  first  acquaintance  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
began,  in  the  printing  office,  previous  to  the  war.  Frequent  business 
transactions  with  the  office  gave  opportunity  for  observing  his  de 
portment  and  business  qualities.  These  were  noticed  to  be  of  the 
first  order,  evincing  reliability  in  whatever  depended  upon  his  care. 
It  became  preferable  to  entrust  the  required  business  to  his  hands, 
thereby  insuring  its  prompt  and  correct  fulfillment.  His  life  out 
side  the  printing  office  had  also  been  somewhat  observed.  His  de 
portment  was  ever  genial,  cheerful,  correct  and  manly  in  all  respects, 
indicating  a  healthy  and  robust  nature  that  enjoyed  life  fully,  with 
heart  and  conscience  untroubled  and  unembittered  by  any  evil  in 
fluences.  Alter  three  years  of  active  service  together,  with  better 
opportunity  for  observation,  these  qualities  were  found  to  be  the 
leading  distinguishing  traits  in  his  military  career,  contributing 
largely  to  that  success  in  the  performance  of  every  duty,  which  has 
secured  for  him  unperishing  fame  and  honor  as  one  of  the  nation's 
defenders. 

In  the  wider,  more  arduous  and  responsible  sphere  of  duty  upon 
the  field,  there  was  called  forth  every  energy  of  his  young  and 
ardent  nature,  in  the  fulfillment  of  trusts  from  which  more  expe 
rienced  heads  and  maturer  years  might  well  shrink.  To  these  he 
brought  the  same  prompt  energy  and  application  that  characterized 
his  earlier  work,  and  accepted  the  sterner  duties  which  the  pa 
triotism  of  his  heart  recognized  as  demanding  the  best  efforts  of 
his  life. 

These  observations  are  recalled,  at  the  threshold  of  this  sketch  of 
his  military  service,  not  for  the  mere  purpose  of  eulogy,  but  to 
indicate  those  qualities  that  had  been  recognized,  appreciated  and 
regarded  with  great  satisfaction  when  entering  the  service,  as  giving 
assurance  of  reliability  in  the  officer  selected  to  fill  the  third  place 
in  command  of  the  Regiment. 

When  the  news  of  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  reached  West 
Chester,  that  locality  shared  in  the  general  uprising  of  a  loyal 
people  in  defence  of  nationality. 

Young  Pennypacker,  then  in  his  nineteenth  year,  was  one  of  the 
number  who  marched  with  Capt.  H.  R.  Guss'  Company  to  Harris- 
burg  in  response  to  the  call  of  the  President  for  troops.     He  had 
26 


402  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

previously  been  appointed  a  sergeant  in  the  National  Guards.  The 
company  was  assigned  to  the  9th  P.  V.,  and  designated  as  Company 
A.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  9th  Regiment,  at  Harrisburg,  on 
April  22,  Sergt.  Pennypacker  was  appointed  quarter-master  sergeant 
of  the  regiment,  declining  the  1st  lieutenancy  of  Company  A,  on 
account  of  his  youth,  which  position  his  company  had  elected  him 
to  fill — and  was  acting  regimental  quarter-master  during  most  of  the 
three  months'  service.  He  brought  to  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  his  position  such  admirable  administrative  ability  and  attention 
as  elicited  approbation  from  the  entire  command. 

The    regiment   being;  assigned  to   the    command  of  Mai.   Gen. 

*/ 

Robert  Patterson,  advanced  with  his  column  into  Maryland  and  was 
engaged  in  the  defence  of  the  border  counties  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland;  principally  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamsport,  Harper's 
Ferry,  Martinsburg  and  other  localities  on  the  Upper  Potomac. 

On  July  29,  1861,  Qr.  Mr.  Sergt.  Pennypacker  was  honorably 
discharged  with  his  regiment  at  Harrisburg,  upon  the  expiration 
of  its  term  of  service. 

While  returning  to  West  Chester,  he  received  authority,  from 
Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  to  enlist  the  first  company  for  a  regiment  that 
officer  had  been  authorized  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  recruit. 
Such  was  the  confidence  in  his  capacity  and  discretion  as  to  prompt 
his  selection  for  the  first  place  in  the  line  of  company  officers. 

Gathering  about  him  some  of  the  best  young  men  who  had  shared 
in  the  three  months'  campaign,  Capt.  Pennypacker  began  the  or 
ganization  of  his  company. 

On  August  22,  1861,  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  for  three  years,  as  captain  of  Company  A,  97th 
P.  V.,  with  eighty-three  men,  and  on  August  30  his  company  was 
filled  to  the  maximum  number. 

It  first  encamped  in  Everhart's  Grove,  West  Chester,  where  it 
was  properly  organized  and  equipped,  under  his  personal  super 
vision,  and  entered  upon  the  course  of  drill  and  discipline  which 
soon  made  it  one  of  the  most  efficient  companies  in  the  service. 
Upon  the  occupation  of  Camp  Wayne,  after  the  organization  of  other 
companies  for  the  Regiment,  Capt.  Pennypacker  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  the  camp,  thus  entering  upon  a  more  extended  range  of 
duties  and  responsibilities.  To  these  it  was  soon  apparent  he  would 
bring  that  earnest  and  persistent  attention  to  every  detail  of  duty 
requisite  to  and  which  becomes  an  essential  element  in  all  success. 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.  403 

Immediately  after  being  mustered  into  the  service,  Capt.  Penny- 
packer  was  authorized,  by  Lieut.  Col.  (since  brevet  brigadier  general) 
C.  F.  Ruff,  U.  S.  A.,  mustering  officer  at  Philadelphia,  to  muster 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  remaining  companies  of  the  Regiment, 
which  service  he  performed  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  that  officer. 

Soon  after  the  occupation  of  Camp  Wayne,  Capt  Pennypacker 
was  designated  major  of  the  Regiment,  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  in  which 
grade  he  was  mustered  on  October  7,  1861. 

As  other  companies  were  being  organized,  Maj.  Pennypacker 
gave  attention  to  the  proper  making  out  of  requisitions  for  subsis 
tence  for  the  troops,  for  the  arms,  accoutrements  and  equipment  of 
the  men,  and  for  the  necessary  camp  and  garrison  equipage  for 
the  Regiment,  and  to  the  proper  distribution  thereof  to  the  com 
panies.  Giving  instructions  to  the  company  officers  relative  to  the 
accounts  to  be  kept,  and  the  necessary  vouchers,  etc.,  to  be  filed  for 
future  and  final  settlement  of  their  responsibilities  to  the  govern 
ment;  he  was  careful  to  impress  upon  each  officer  under  his  command 
the  importance  of  this  duty  and  the  necessity  for  perservation  of 
the  original  muster  rolls  and  records  of  their  companies. 

His  experience  as  acting  quarter-master  in  the  three  months' 
service — applied  efficiently  and  practically,  as  Maj.  Pennypacker 
always  applied  whatever  ability  he  possessed,  to  the  advancement 
of  every  purpose  or  duty  devolving  upon  him — was  of  eminent  ad 
vantage  to  the  Regiment,  In  addition  to  other  duties  at  Camp 
Wayne,  Maj.  Pennypacker  found  time  to  devote  much  attention  to 
the  preliminary  drill  and  preparation  requisite  to  qualify  the  Regi 
ment  for  active  service.  In  the  prompt  attention  given  to  every 
detail  of  duty  there  was  manifest  a  proficiency  Irom  which  it  was 
evident,  before  leaving  Camp  Wayne,  that  should  the  exigencies 
of  the  service  devolve  the  command  of  the  Regiment  upon  its  junior 
field  officer,  he  would  be  found  in  every  respect  competent  and 
qualified. 

Leaving  Camp  Wayne,  November  16,  1861,  his  Regiment  was 
first  ordered  to  Washington ;  thence,  after  a  few  days,  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  remaining  there  until  December  8,  1861 ;  then  ord'ered 
to  the  Department  of  the  South,  arriving  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C., 
December  15,  joined  the  troops  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  In  the 
transfer  of  the  Regiment,  from  the  points  named,  Maj.  Pennypacker 
was  prompt  in  co-operation  with  his  commanding  officer  and  ren 
dered  efficient  aid  in  the  embarking  arid  disembarking  of  the  troops. 


404  BISTORT    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

During  the  voyage  to  Port  Royal,  prolonged  several  days  beyond 
the  usual  time  by  a  storm,  Maj.  Pennypacker's  presence  among 
the  men,  in  his  round  of  inspecting  their  quarters  and  condition, 
was  greeted  with  such  pleasure  as  men  fresh  from  their  homes,  in 
their  first  experiences  with  the  hardships  and  privations  attending 
the  new  duties  before  them,  naturally  would  welcome  the  pleasant 
face  and  the  cheering  word  that  manifested  an  interest  in  their 
welfare,  on  the  part  of  their  young  commander,  who  had  already 
won  their  confidence  and  regard. 

In  January,  1862,  he  was  detailed  upon  a  general  court-martial, 
convened  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  by  order  of  Gen.  Sherman. 

With  his  Regiment,  in  Gen.  H.  G.  Wright's  brigade,  he  partici 
pated  in  the  operations  against  Fort  Pulaski,  with  that  portion  of 
the  force  that  engaged  the  attention  of  the  enemy  at  Warsaw  Sound, 
Ga.  The  troops  remained  upon  the  vessel  for  several  weeks;  much 
fatal  sickness  ensued.  Under  such  circumstances,  with  the  best 
care  and  discipline,  men  often  become  more  or  less  demoralized  in 
feeling  toward  those  having  command  over  them.  In  those  trying 
days,  the  presence  and  influence  of  Maj.  Pennypacker,  young  in 
years  yet  ripe  in  the  wisdom  of  feeling  for  those  under  his  command, 
was  ever  salutary  and  inspiring;  disarming  discontent  and  repining 
at  inevitable  discomfort,  by  the  kind  interest  and  appreciation  mani 
fested  in  efforts  to  relieve,  as  far  as  possible,  their  condition.  When 
passing  among  the  men,  on  the  transports,  it  was  evident  in  every 
face,  that  met  the  genial,  youthful  glow  of  his,  how  welcome  his 
presence  was  to  them.  This  testimony  is  borne  by  many  in  the 
ranks.  Yet  he  was  always  decided  and  firm  in  all  the  requirements 
of  duty,  exacting  rigorous  and  faithful  performance  thereof  from 
every  officer  and  soldier  under  his  command,  securing  the  confidence 
and  respect  af  all. 

Fort  Clinch,  Fernandina  and  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  were  next  occu 
pied  by  Gen.  Wright's  forces.  At  the  latter  place,  Maj.  Penny- 
packer  was  engaged  with  his  Regiment  upon  important  duty  at  the 
front,  as  picket  guard,  reconnoitering  the  enemy's  position,  and  in 
repelling  their  attempts  to  regain  possession  of  the  place. 

In  command  of  scouting  parties,  Maj.  Pennypacker  manifested 
energy  and  efficiency  becoming  one  of  maturer  years.  He  also  co 
operated  actively  with  his  commander,  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  in  keeping 
up  the  regular  drill  and  discipline  of  the  command  at  that  post, 
within  sound  of  the  drums  in  the  enemy's  camp.  Following  the 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET   MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          405 

evacuation  of  Jacksonville,  Gen.  Wright's  brigade  was  ordered  to 
North  Edisto  to  prepare  for  tho  advance  upon  Charleston,  S.  C. 
During  these  movements,  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  constantly  upon 
duty  with  his  Regiment.  By  close  and  careful  study  of  the  pre 
scribed  military  tactics  and  the  revised  army  regulations,  he  had 
thoroughly  qualified  himself  for  every  duty  which  he  might  be 
called  upon  to  fulfill.  He  was,  therefore,  prepared  to  exercise  the 
Regiment,  and  if  need  be  the  brigade,  in  the  most  intricate  move 
ments  with  the  readiness  of  a  veteran  officer. 

In  the  first  advance  upon  Charleston,  early  in  June,  1862,  he 
marched  with  his  Regiment  across  John's  Island,  S.  C.,  and  was 
with  it  upon  the  reconnoissance,  made  on  the  left  flank  of  the  ad 
vancing  column,  on  June  7,  to  ascertain  the  position  and  strength 
of  the  enemy,  and  was  engaged  in  the  skirmish  with  their  cavalry 
scouts,  when  some  prisoners  were  captured. 

During  the  occupation  of  James  Island,  S.  C.,  from  June  9  to 
July  G,  1862,  he  was  constantly  engaged  upon  active  duty  in  the 
presence  of  the  enemy,  whose  lines  were  quite  close  to  our  own. 
The  picket  duty  was  rendered  most  arduous  and  perilous,  by  the  un 
usual  severity  of  the  firing  on  both  sides  and  the  evident  determi 
nation  of  the  rebels  to  render  the  occupation  of  James  Island  most 
difficult  and  precarious;  the  rebel  forces  frequently  attacking  the 
lines  during  the  night  with  great  vigor.  Maj.  Pennypacker  was 
always  present  with  his  Regiment  when  detailed  upon  this  duty  and 
contributed,  in  a  great  degree,  by  his  coolness  and  unflinching 
courage,  to  secure  the  steady  and  unwavering  line  which  the  97th 
P.  V.  always  presented  to  the  enemy. 

On  June  10  and  16,  in  the  actions  at  GrimbalFs  Plantation  and 
Secession ville,  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  at  his  post,  actively  co-ope 
rating  with  his  brave  and  judicious  commander,  Col.  H.  11.  Guss, 
and  by  his  self  possession  and  admirable  bearing  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight,  was  an  influence  of  inspiration  and  courage  to  the  men, 
tending  largely  to  secure  the  brilliant  record  made  by  the  Regiment 
upon  both  occasions.  The  details  of  these  actions  being  fully  given, 
in  other  pages  of  this  work,  will  make  unnecessary  any  further 
reference  here. 

In  the  engagement  at  Secessionville,  when  the  disaster  of  an  un 
successful  assault  became  a  test  to  both  officers  and  men,  Maj. 
Pennypacker  was  remarked  for  his  calm,  clear  and  cool  judgment 
and  bearing  in  the  performance  of  his  duty,  thereby  increasing  the 


406  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

confidence  already  felt  in  him  as  an  officer  whom  reverses  could  not 
swerve  from  any  duty  or  danger. 

Upon  the  evacuation  of  James    Island,  Gen.  Wright's  brigade 
again  occupied  Edisto.     A  short  interval  of  relief  from  active  ser 
vice  ensued,  during  which  Maj.  Pennypacker  rendered  efficient  as 
sistance  in  perfecting  the  training  and  discipline  of  his  Regiment, 
to  prepare  it  for  still  more  effective  usefulness  in  the  field. 

On  August  18,  1862,  the  Regiment  returned  to  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.  Col.  Guss  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  that  post  and 
Lieut.  Col.  Duer  detailed  upon  court-martial,  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  the 
command  of  the  Regiment  devolved  upon  Maj.  Pennypacker,  the 
duties  of  which  were  fulfilled  with  marked  ability  and  faithfulness. 

An  incident  may  serve  to  show  the  estimation  he  had  unobtru 
sively  gained  with  officers  of  rank  and  influence  in  the  department, 
who  had  observed  him  in  the  performance  of  his  official  duties. 
The  writer  being  present  at  a  meeting  of  officers  serving  in  the  de 
partment — convened  at  that  post,  by  the  lamented  Maj.  Gen.  O.  M. 
Mitchel,  for  the  purpose  of  personal  acquaintance  and  intercourse 
with  the  officers  of  his  command — was  conversing  with  Col.  H.  R. 
Guss  when  Brig.  Gen.  (now  major  general)  A.  II.  Terry  came  up 
and  exchanged  salutations  of  friendly  greeting  with  both.  He  im 
mediately  inquired  for  Maj.  Pennypacker,  who  had  not  yet  arrived. 
He  then  said,  "  Colonel,  you  have  a  most  excellent  and  deserving 
officer  in  Maj.  Pennypacker;  I  like  him  very  much;  he  will  make 
his  mark  in  the  service  or  I  am  very  much  mistaken." 

During  the  winter  of  1862-63,  little  of  importance  occurred  to 
note  in  this  sketch;  Maj.  Pennypacker,  with  his  Regiment,  was 
performing  such  duties  as  pertained  to  his  rank  during  an  ordinary 
campaign. 

In  January,  1863,  he  was  detailed  upon  a  general  court-martial, 
at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  and  was  engaged  in  the  trial  of  an  important 
case,  growing  out  of  the  conflict  of  authority  between  the  civil  and 
military  jurisdictions,  during  the  administration  of  Gen.  Rufus 
Saxton,  Territorial  Governor  of  South  Carolina. 

In  February,  1863,  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  detailed  as  a  member 
of  the  board  of  examiners  of  officers,  for  the  Department  of  the 
South- — of  which  board  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  was  President — and  was 
engaged  in  that  service  until  relieved  in  April  following.  His 
selection  for  this  service  was  in  recognition  of  the  eminent  qualifi 
cation  he  brought  to  this  service  with  the  board. 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  AUMY.           407 

In  the  second  campaign  against  Charleston,  which  began  in  May. 
1863,  by  the  inoccupation  of  Etlisto  and  John's  Islands,  the  com 
mand  oi  the  Regiment  more  frequently  devolved  upon  its  major. 
Col.  Guss  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  a  brigade  and  Lieut. 
Col.  Duer  detailed  upon  court-martial  and  other  detached  service. 

On  April  22,  the  Regiment  was  transferred  from  Col.  Guss'  to 
Brig.  Gen.  T.  G.  Stevenson's  brigade,  at  Seabrook  Point,  on  John's 
Island,  much  against  the  wishes  of  the  colonel  and  the  entire  Regi 
ment;  but,  acquiescence  in  orders  being  a  part  of  every  soldier's 
duty,  it  became  the  pleasure  also  of  officers  and  men  to  endeavor  to 
show,  by  their  prompt  and  cheerful  compliance  with  every  duty 
under  their  new  commander,  that  the  Regiment  could  prove  its  re 
liability  by  endeavoring  to  attain  the  first  place  in  his  regard  and 
confidence,  which  it  had  hitherto  held  in  that  of  previous  brigade 
commanders.  Toward  this  effort,  Maj.  Pennypacker  devoted  every 
stimulant  of  precept  and  example.  He  soon  became  known 
throughout  the  command  as  a  most  able  and  efficient  officer,  whose 
ambition  and  determination  were  to  make  his  Regiment  thoroughly 
proficient  in  every  requirement  of  military  duty.  He  instituted  a 
most  thorough  and  exact  performance  of  guard  duty,  strictly  in  ac 
cordance  with  the  prescribed  regulations,  and  entered  upon  a  daily 
course  of  drill  and  discipline  of  the  Regiment,  in  battalion  and  bri 
gade  movements,  which  received  the  attention  and  secured  the 
hearty  commendation  of  Gen.  Stevenson,  the  brigade  commander. 

Both  officers  and  men  were  held  up  to  the  highest  point  of  pro 
ficiency,  by  his  personal  influence,  in  the  exact  fulfillment  of  every 
duty.  With  such  a  commander  the  Regiment  could  lose  none  of 
its  efficiency  acquired  under  its  able  and  worthy  colonel. 

While  at  Seabrook  Point,  the  picket  duty  was  performed  by  the 
regiments  in  turn,  remaining  at  the  front  for  a  week  continuously. 
The  enemy  were  in  close  proximity  and  made  frequent  demon 
strations  of  attack,  resulting  in  a  brisk  action  on  June  18,  1863. 
For  the  rapid,  orderly  and  prompt  march  of  his  Regiment,  more 
than  two  and  a  half  miles  to  the  support  of  the  line  attacked,  Maj. 
Pennypacker  received  the  thanks  of  Gen.  Stevenson  after  the  re 
pulse  of  the  enemy. 

The  second  occupation  of  James  Island,  in  July,  1863,  was  at 
tended  by  the  same  arduous  and  perilous  duty  as  the  preceding 
year.  Maj.  Pennypacker,  with  his  Regiment,  was  upon  active  duty 
with  Gen.  Terry's  division,  and  participated  in  the  engagement  at 


408  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Stevens'  Landing,  on  July  16,  when  the  enemy  made  a  desperate 
but  fruitless  attempt  to  drive  Gen.  Terry's  forces  from  the  island. 

The  next  link  in  the  record  we  are  tracing  was  the  campaign 
upon  Morris  Island,  S.  C.  During  Gen.  Terry's  operations  on 
James  Island,  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore  had  succeeded  in  obtaining  pos 
session  of  the  southern  end  of  Morris  Island,  having  secretly  erected 
earthworks  upon  the  north  end  of  Folly  Island,  which  gave  him 
command  of  the  position.  This  was  followed  by  the  advance  upon, 
and  unsuccessful  assault  of  Fort  Wagner  on  the  evening  of  the  14th 
of  July. 

A  second  assault  occurred  on  the  night  of  July  18,  in  which  the 
97th  P.  V.  participated,  with  Gen.  Stevenson's  brigade,  and  was 
engaged,  after  the  assault  became  a  disaster,  during  the  remainder 
of  the  night  in  maintaining  a  defensive  line  at  the  front  and  in  se 
curing  the  wounded  from  the  slopes  and  about  the  palisades  of  the 
work.  Maj.  Pennypacker  participated  actively  with  his  Regiment, 
during  the  action,  and  remained  with  it  at  the  front  until  relieved, 
at  dark,  on  the  ensuing  night. 

Gen.  Gillmore  then  determined  to  reduce  Forts  Wagner  and 
Gregg  by  a  regular  line  of  approaches  across  the  low  marshy  sand 
flats  in  front  of  the  former  formidable  work. 

During  this  siege — the  most  remarkable  in  history,  for  difficulties 
of  a  character  generally  regarded  insurmountable,  by  any  previously 
adopted  processes — there  was  encountered  every  conceivable  duty 
which  a  soldier  had  been  supposed  capable  of  meeting,  either  in  or 
out  of  the  service,  in  improvising  means  to  secure  the  desired  ob 
ject.  Every  duty,  every  difficulty  and  danger  was  promptly  and 
cheerfully  met  by  both  officers  and  men.  The  entire  history  of  that 
siege  can  never  be  written  as  it  was  made  in  the  record  of  duty  per 
formed  by  the  humblest  soldier,  whose  name  may  be  unknown,  but 
whose  hands  toiled,  digging  in  the  trenches,  during  those  long,  hot 
and  weary  days,  weeks  and  months,  working  by  day  and  by  night, 
stealthily  eluding  rebel  bullets,  and  the  iron  hail  from  the  parapet 
of  the  rebel  fort,  which  swept  every  foot  of  the  level  surface  of  that 
island  beach,  barely  rising  three  feet  above  the  tide  that  washed 
its  margin — progressing  slowly  and  silently,  piling  up  zigzag  lines  of 
approach,  making  ready  a  way  and  shelter,  behind  which  brave  and 
determined  men  were  to  crawl,  preparing  for  the  final  spring  to  con 
test  possession  of  the  rebel  stronghold — until  at  last,  on  a  bright 
moonlight  September  night,  the  protecting  sap  was  projected  so 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET   MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          409 

close  to  the  moat  environing  the  fort,  that  the  sand,  thrown  up  from 
the  busy  shovels,  to  form  the  wall  of  defence,  sliding  down  the  re 
verse  slope,  caused  a  ripple  in  the  water  of  the  moat  that  told 
the  men  their  work  with  shovels  was  finished,  and  now  the  bayonet 
must  open  the  door  unto  which  those  more  peaceful  implements  had 
made  the  way. 

Of  this  character  was  the  service  in  which  Maj.  Pennypacker 
participated,  in  command  of  his  Regiment,  until  about  July  24, 
when  he  was  prostrated  by  illness  consequent  upon  the  unsparing 
devotion  of  his  whole  ability  to  the  performance  of  duty. 

The  resignation  of  the  senior  captain  had  brought  the  writer 
next  in  rank  to  the  major;  consequently,  in  the  absence  or  disability 
of  that  officer,  the  command  of  the  Regiment  devolved  upon  him 
self,  the  lieutenant  colonel  being  absent  upon  detached  service. 

The  new  and  more  responsible  duties  were  rendered  less  for 
midable  and  more  familiar  by  the  counsel  and  support  of  Maj. 
Pennypacker,  and  by  his  presence  in  the  camp,  where  he  preferred 
to  remain,  unwilling  to  leave  the  front  during  the  progress  of  such 
important  movements,  when  his  increasing  illness  compelled  him 
to  suspend  active  duty. 

On  the  night  of  the  contemplated  final  assault  upon  Fort  Wagner, 
the  officers  in  command  of  brigades  and  regiments  were  convened, 
by  order  of  Gen.  Gillmore,  at  Gen.  Terry's  head-quarters,  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  personal  instruction  as  to  the  duty  each  was 
to  perform  in  the  assault.  Maj.  Pennypacker,  although  unable  for 
duty,  was  quite  desirous  of  attending,  but,  being  reported  sick  upon 
the  roster,  the  notice  had  been  sent  to  Capt.  Price.  Fearing  the 
exposure  of  the  night,  it  was  urged  that  his  strength  was  inade 
quate,  and  he  was  reluctantly  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  yielding 
his  privilege  of  senior  officer,  lest  his  attending  the  call  at  head 
quarters  might  frustrate  his  intention  of  leading  the  Regiment  in 
the  proposed  assault  in  the  morning.  This  he  persisted  in  being 
allowed  to  do,  in  co-operation  with,  rather  than  supersede  the  writer 
in  command. 

As  as  instance  demonstrating  his  close  observance  of  every  detail 
of  orders  relative  to  the  performance  of  duty,  it  may  be  stated  in  this 
connection  that,  after  returning  from  Gen.  Terry's  head-quarters, 
Capt.  Price  visited  Maj.  Pennypacker's  tent  at  his  request  to  report 
the  orders,  when,  in  his  quaint  and  direct  way  of  questioning 
and  getting  at  the  exact  scope  of  every  order  he  was  concerned  in 


410  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

executing,  he  was  soon  as  thoroughly  in  possession  of  Gens.  Gill- 
more  and  Terry's  arrangement  of  the  part  to  be  performed  by  the 
97th  P.  V.  in  the  assault,  as  the  officer  who  had  received  the  orders 
was  capable  of  stating  them.  This  determination,  not  only  to 
thoroughly  understand  what  he  was  expected  to  do  himself,  but  to 
have  those  of  whom  he  expected  the  performance  of  any  duty  un 
derstand  it  also,  was  ever  a  distinguishing  trait  from  his  manner  of 
impressing  those  who  received  an  order  from  him,  with  the  necessity 
of  exactness  in  understanding  so  as  to  insure  faithfulness  in  the  per 
formance. 

The  advance  upon  Fort  Wagner  at  2  A.  M.  on  the  7th,  when  it 
was  found  to  be  evacuated,  was  followed  by  an  immediate  advance  of 
the  forces  upon  Fort  Gregg;  Maj.  Pennypackcr  was  one  of  the  first 
to  mount  the  sides  of  that  work,  bearing  the  flag  of  his  Regiment, 
before  it  was  known  to  be  evacuated.  After  the  occupation  of  these 
works,  Maj.  Pennypacker  remained  unable  for  active  duty,  his  ill 
ness  being  of  intermittent  type,  rendering  change  of  climate  neces 
sary  to  restore  his  broken  health.  Upon  the  earnest  recommenda 
tions  of  his  medical  advisers,  he  at  length  consented  to  receive  a  sick 
leave  of  absence,  which  being  granted  at  department  head-quarters, 
on  September  23,  1863,  he  returned  to  West  Chester. 

He  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  November  13, 
1863,  and  was  placed  in  command  of  five  companies  of  the  Regi 
ment  encamped  in  that  city. 

Maj.  Pennypacker  was  also  assigned,  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  com 
manding  post,  to  the  charge  of  the  school  for  the  instruction  of  the 
officers  of  his  command.  To  this  duty  he  brought  the  same  earnest 
attention  and  adequate  ability  which  had  hitherto  been  observed. 
The  benefit  of  this  instruction  was  soon  manifest  in  the  decided  im 
provement  noticed  in  officers  previously  regarded  good  and  efficient. 

About  November  16,  1863,  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  detailed  as 
president  of  a  general  court-martial,  convened  at  Fernandina,  Fla., 
which,  having  but  one  case  for  consideration,  closed  after  sitting 
three  days.  He  was  again  detailed  president  of  a  court-martial,  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  December,  1863.  This  court  continued  its  ses 
sions  through  January  and  part  of  February,  1864.  Several  very 
important  and  intricate  cases  were  tried  before  it,  including  four  for 
desertion,  in  all  of  which  the  findings  of  the  court  were  approved 
at  department  head-quarters.  As  president  of  these  courts,  Maj. 
Pennypacker  displayed  a  clearness  of  preception,  judgment  and 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          411 

thorough  knowledge  of  military  requirements,  precedents,  etc.,  that 
gave  him  perfect  readiness  in  deciding  important  questions  such  as 
arise  in  every  court-martial.  These  qualities,  joined  with  the  solid 
common  sense,  so  large  an  element  in  his  life  and  character,  gave 
to  his  views  and  decisions,  so  unpretendingly  presented,  an  influence 
rarely  found  in  one  so  young. 

On  February  9,  1864,  Maj.  Pennypacker  led  a  detachment  of 
three  hundred  men  of  his  Regiment  in  a  night  march  of  thirty 
miles,  to  surprise  and  capture  the  rebel  Camp  Cooper,  near  Bald 
win's  Station,  on  the  Florida  Railroad;  and,  on  February  14,  with 
about  the  same  force,  made  a  successful  advance  into  the  enemy's 
country,  upon  the  St.  Mary's  River,  Ga  ,  securing  thereby  a  large 
amount  of  valuable  lumber  for  use  in  the  department.  These  ope 
rations  are  fully  set  forth  in  the  narrative  of  the  Regiment.  In  both 
expeditions,  Maj.  Pennypacker  moved  his  troops  with  such  secrecy, 
celerity  and  order  as  to  secure  the  object  of  his  march  and,  by  his 
judicious  care  in  preventing  the  disaffected  inhabitants  from  giving 
notice  of  his  approach  to  the  enemy,  demonstrated  his  ability  as  a 
commander  to  whom  might  safely  be  entrusted  any  expedition,  how 
ever  important,  to  penetrate  the  enemy's  country. 

In  February,  1864,  efforts  were  being  made  to  induce  the  men  of 
the  regiments  in  the  department,  who  had  served  over  two  years, 
to  re-enlist  as  veterans  for  the  war.  In  furtherance  of  this  object, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  assured  the  men  of  his  Regiment,  who  thus  re- 
enlisted,  of  his  readiness  to  remain  with  them,  as  their  commander, 
if  they  desired  it. 

When  the  veterans  returned  home,  on  furlough,  accompanied  by 
Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  the  command  of  the  post  of  Fernandina,  Fla.,  de 
volved  upon  Maj.  Pennypacker.  In  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of 
post  commandant,  Maj.  Pennypacker  was  courteous,  judicious  and 
discreet  in  all  official  and  personal  intercourse;  in  the  administration 
of  his  command,  holding  every  department  up  to  the  highest  at 
tainable  point  of  efficiency  and  order.  He  remained  in  command 
until  April  22,  1864,  when  the  Regiment  was  relieved  from  duty 
by  the  157th  N.  Y.,  commanded  by  Col.  P.  P.  Brown. 

Upon  being  relieved,  the  embarkation  6T  Maj.  Pennypackcr's 
force,  at  Fernandina,  upon  a  small  transport  steamer,  the  Monohan- 
sett,  was  accomplished  with  the  promptitude  which  usually  attended 
every  systematized  purpose,  matured  and  executed  by  the  efficient 
young  commander  of  the  97th  P.  V.  In  less  than  twenty-four 


412  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

< 

hours  from  the  arrival  of  the  relieving  force,  he  had  collected  his 
command,  from  stations  scattered  over  a  circuit  of  from  ten  to  four 
teen  miles,  had  caused  the  accounts  and  responsibilities  of  every 
officer  holding  official  position — provost  marshal,  with  over  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  prisoners  and  many  property  accountabili 
ties  in  his  charge;  post  quarter-master,  post  commissary,  ordnance 
officer  and  others  holding  important  charges — to  be  duly  and  offi 
cially  transferred  in  proper  form,  with  the  necessary  vouchers,  etc., 
and  his  command  marched  to  the  landing  and  embarked  ready  for 
the  voyage. 

With  his  Regiment,  he  reported  to  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry  for  orders, 
at  Hilton  Head,  April  25,  and  was,  by  that  officer,  directed  to  join 
Gen.  Butler's  forces  at  Gloucester  Point,  Va.,  where  the  James 
River  expedition  was  being  organized. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  April  3,  1864, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  was  recommended,  by  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  for  pro 
motion.  His  commission  as  lieutenant  colonel  was  issued  by  Gov. 
Curtin,  to  rank  from  April  3,  1864,  but  owing  to  delay,  consequent 
upon  the  active  movements  at  the  front,  it  was  not  received  until 
near  June  1,  1864. 

Upon  landing  at  Gloucester  Point,  April  28,  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer's  command  was  again  assigned  to  the  old  10th  Corps,  being 
placed  in  the  1st  brigade,  3d  division  (Ames').  The  brigade  at  that 
time  was  commanded  by  Col.  Richard  White,  of  the  55th  P.  V. 
At  Gloucester  Point,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  availed  himself  of 
every  opportunity  to  prepare  his  Regiment  for  the  active  duty  it 
was  again  about  to  enter  upon.  Company  and  battalion  drill,  bayonet 
exercise  and  the  skirmish  drill  were  resumed;  in  battalion  drill 
each  company,  in  turn,  was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  to  perfect  the 
officers  and  men  in  such  service.  These  movements  were  conducted 
with  the  skill  of  one  completely  master  of  every  movement  in  de 
tail.  In  the  review  of  the  troops  of  Gen.  Butler's  command,  on 
April  30,  1864,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker's  Regiment  was  found  tho 
roughly  prepared  in  the  requisite  movements,  in  consequence  of  the 
regular  course  of  drill  and  discipline  continually  maintained  rather 
than  by  any  special  effort  for  the  occasion. 

During  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  in  command  of 
his  Regiment,  he  participated  with  all  the  movements  upon  the 
enemy's  lines,  and  led  the  advance  upon  the  Richmond  and  Peters 
burg  Railroad,  when  Lee's  communications  between  those  cities  were 


G.  PENNY? ACKER,  BREVET  MAJOR  GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.    413 

severed,  May  8,  leading  his  Regiment  in  action,  on  the  same  day, 
at  Swift  Creek,  advancing  under  a  heavy  fire  close  to  the  enemy's 
lines,  to  cover  the  operations  of  the  artillery  that  had  taken 
position  at  a  point  of  great  danger  of  capture.  By  his  bearing  and 
courage  he  held  the  line  against  the  repeated  efforts  of  the  enemy 
to  drive  his  force  back.  To  reach  this  position,  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  had  marched  his  men,  under  a  brisk  fire  of  musketry  and 
shell,  moving  with  a  celerity  and  promptness  that  elicted  the  ad 
miration  of  those  who  witnessed  his  advance.  For  more  than  half 
an  hour,  under  a  continuous  fire,  he  held  his  command  in  steady 
line,  through  the  influence  of  his  own  collected  calmness  of  manner, 
which  impressed  both  officers  and  men  with  something  of  his  own 
steadfastness.  Several  were  wounded  and  carried  to  the  rear,  but 
the  unbroken  line  stood  firmly,  a  wall  of  flint  interposed  as  a  pro 
tecting  barrier  against  a  charge  upon  the  artillery  from  the  rebel 
lines  only  a  few  paces  off. 

Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  again  led  his  Regiment,  on  the  9th,  in 
a  forced  march  of  seven  miles,  to  support  Gen.  Terry,  then  engaged 
by  a  superior  rebel  force,  near  Fort  Darling;  and  again  in  action, 
on  the  14th,  at  Drury's  Bluff,  and  near  Fort  Darling,  where  his 
Regiment  held  the  extreme  left  of  the  advance  and  assisted  at  the 
capture  of  the  enemy's  outer  lines  near  that  work. 

Gen.  Butler's  forces  again  became  engaged  with  the  enemy  on 
the  morning  of  the  16th;  when,  suddenly,  in  greatly  superior  force, 
they  made  a  furious  assault  upon  the  right  of  his  lines;  a  fierce 
engagement  ensued.  Being  additionally  threatened,  by  a  large  force 
advancing  upon  his  rear  and  left  flank,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker 
was  ordered  to  march  his  Regiment,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  down 
the  Wier  Bottom  Church  Road,  to  join  the  13th  Ind.,  to  obstruct 
the  advance  of  Gen.  Beauregard's  forces,  and  hold  them  in  check 
until  the  troops  of  Gen.  Butler  could  be  safely  withdrawn  and  dis 
posed  for  future  operations.  A  detailed  account  of  the  successful 
accomplishment  of  the  purpose  entrusted  to  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  is  given  in  the  history  of  the  Regiment.  Having  thrown 
his  force  across  the  path  of  the  advancing  enemy,  they  were  held  in 
check  for  nearly  half  a  day,  during  which  time  Gen.  Butler's  forces 
were  safely  withdrawn  to  the  intrenchments.  Through  presenting 
a  bold  front  and  keeping  up  the  appearance  of  strengtli  by  a  judi 
cious  disposition  of  a  very  small  force,  he  had  saved  the  Army  of 
the  James  from  a  most  serious  disaster.  In  this  affair,  Lieut.  Col. 


414  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Pennypacker  displayed  powers  of  a  high  order.  Strategy  found  a 
ready  solution  of  the  embarrassing  difficulties  arising  from  the  in 
adequacy  of  numbers,  and  the  completeness  of  his  success  was  re 
markable.  It  would  have  been  honor  sufficient  to  have  crowned 
with  laurels  the  commander  of  any  brigade  which  had  alone  been 
fortunate  enough  to  thus  hold  in  check  one  of  the  chief  generals  of 
the  rebel  forces. 

Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  led  his  Regiment,  on  May  18,  1864,  in 
a  brilliant  charge,  under  a  brisk  fire  from  the  enemy,  at  Foster's 
Place,  regaining  a  portion  of  the  line  from  which  the  pickets 
of  the  8th  Maine  had  been  driven  in  the  morning.  Holding  the 
position,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  and  his  force  were  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  enemy  during  the  entire  day ;  personally  assuring  him 
self  of  every  point  of  the  line,  he  encouraged  his  men  to  steadi 
ness  and  efficiency.  The  events  of  that  day  alone  were  sufficient  to 
place  the  97th  P.  V.  and  its  brave  young  commander  in  the  front 
rank  of  our  country's  defenders.  The  Regiment  lost  in  the  action 
nineteen  killed  and  thirty-eight  wounded. 

On  May  20,  Gen.  Pickett's  (rebel)  division  assaulted  and  reoccu- 
pied  this  line,  which  had  been  left  with  a  very  inferior  force,  dis 
tributed  at  intervals  of  three  paces.  In  consequence  of  grave  mis 
apprehension  of  the  force  of  the  enemy,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker 
was  ordered,  with  about  three  hundred  men  of  his  Regiment,  to 
charge  upon  the  position —  his  force  totally  inadequate,  yet,  in  obe 
dience  to  orders,  that  officer  led  his  gallant  band  into  the  jaws 
of  death  with  that  determined  resolution  which  animates  the  true 
soldier  to  conquer  or  die.  The  charge  was  made  in  unwavering 
line  across  the  level,  known  as  Green  Plains.  The  enemy  for  a  time 
reserved  his  fire,  then  opened  a  most  fearful  and  destructive 
storm  of  iron  hail  from  hundreds  of  muskets  and  with  grape  and 
canister  from  six  pieces  of  artillery,  but  still  the  gallant  young  officer 
led  his  men  forward,  their  ranks  rapidly  thinning,  until  having  nearly 
crossed  the  open  space,  two-thirds  of  his  men  had  fallen  and  him 
self  three  times  wounded,  it  became  apparent  that  none  could  reach 
the  enemy's  lines  alive.  The  order  to  retire  was  given  and  the  rem 
nant  came  back  in  order,  bearing  their  wounded  leader  to  the  shel 
ter  of  a  ravine  for  safety.  Perhaps  no  affair  of  the  war  presents  a 
more  brilliant  attempt  at  fulfilment  of  orders  against  such  fearful 
odds.  The  charge  has  its  only  parallel  in  that  of  the  famous  Six 
Hundred  at  Balaktava.  There  could  be  no  more  brilliant  or  fatal 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.           415 

record  than  this  whicli  cost  the  97th  P.  V.  the  loss  of  so  many  of 
its  brave  and  noble  young  men,  cut  down  in  a  moment,  the  sad 
result  of  a  most  unwarranted  and  fearful  blunder  on  the  part  of  the 
officer  who  ordered  the  charge  that  sent  less  than  three  hundred 
men  against  one  of  the  best  divisions  of  the  rebel  army,  intrenched 
and  with  six  pieces  of  artillery  in  position. 

Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker's  wounds  disabled  him  from  service  for 
nearly  three  months.  He  received  surgical  attention  at  the  general 
hospital  at  Fortress  Monroe,  and,  when  partially  recovered,  returned 
to  West  Chester  until  convalescent. 

The  account  of  this  action,  given  in  the  narrative  of  the  Regi 
ment,  also  sets  forth  the  action  of  the  officers  of  the  Regiment  in 
refutation  of  the  attempts  that  were  made  to  escape  the  responsi 
bility  of  the  disaster,  by  casting  the  blame  of  not  understanding 
the  order,  upon  the  gallant  officer  who  led  the  charge.  He  only 
too  faithfully  understood  and  obeyed  the  orders  that  were  proven  as 
given  upon  the  field. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker's  return  to  West 
Chester,  when  sufficiently  recovered  from  his  wounds,  he  was  pre 
sented,  by  the  citizens  with  an  elegant  sword,  sash  and  belt,  as  a 
testimonial  of  their  appreciation  of  his  faithful  and  meritorious 
services. 

Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  rejoined  his  Regiment,  at  Foster's  Place, 
Bermuda  Hundred.,  on  August  12,  1864,  being  still  somewhat  disa 
bled  in  the  use  of  his  right  arm.  He  resumed  the  command  of  his 
Regiment  on  the  14th,  having  been  mustered,  upon  his  commis 
sion  as  lieutentant  colonel,  on  the  day  alter  his  arrival  in  the  depart 
ment. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  on  the  23d  of  June 
preceding,  Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker  was  commissioned  as  colonel  of 
the  Regiment,  to  which  rank,  on  August  15,  1864,  he  was,  by  order 
of  the  Secretary  of  War,  mustered  by  Capt.  T.  E.  Lord,  mustering 
officer  of  the  division. 

Col.  Pennypacker  again  entered  upon  active  duty  at  the  front- 
The  Army  of  the  James  had  commenced  operations  on  the  north 
side  of  that  river.  On  August  14,  the  enemy  were  encountered  at 
Deep  Bottom.  At  IIP.  M.,  in  command  of  the  centre  of  the  bri 
gade  (the  76th  and  97th  P.  V.),  he  was  ordered  to  advance  close  up 
to  the  enemy's  lines  and  hold  a  position  of  importance,  in  support 
of  the  2d  Corps,  which  made  a  successful  assault,  upon  the  enemy's 


416  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

works  at  daylight  on  the  15th.  He  then  led  his  Regiment  in 
action  upon  the  left  of  the  forces  and  occupied  a  position  exposed 
to  the  enemy's  batteries  during  the  day  and  night  following. 

On  the  16th,  he  again  led  his  Regiment  in  the  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  near  the  Malvern  Hill  Road,  driving  the  enemy 
from  their  line  of  intrenchments.  His  Regiment  was  ordered  to  re 
main  with  a  portion  of  Gen.  W.  Birney's  division  to  hold  the  works 
captured.  The  rebels,  having  concentrated  a  large  force  upon  the 
right  and  left,  flanked  the  position,  compelling  the  forces  to  retire 
to  avoid  capture,  suffering  considerable  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners.  Many  of  the  regiments  suffered  immensely  from  the 
utter  rout  and  want  of  proper  management,  the  officers  not  se 
curing  safety  by  keeping  their  commands  in  hand.  Col.  Penny- 
packer  being  present  ivith  his  men,  was  enabled  to  bring  the  greater 
portion  to  safe  shelter  near  the  original  line.  His  presence  saved  his 
command  from  capture.  The  inspiration  which  led  in  the  charge 
and  the  daring  intrepidity  which  had  planted  the  flag  of  his  Regi 
ment  on  the  rebel  parapet  within  a  few  feet  of  the  flag  of  a  rebel 
Virginia  regiment,  also  lent  their  influence  to  lead  the  brave  men 
around  him  out  of  the  danger  when  the  rebel  forces  were  about  to 
close  in  upon  them. 

About  August  26,  Col.  Pennypacker  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  2d  brigade,  2d  division,  l()th  Corps,  by  seniority  of  rank, 
after  the  muster-out  of  Col.  W.  B.  Barton,  of  the  48th  N.  Y. 
Gen.  Butler,  having  the  fullest  confidence  in  his  ability  and  quali 
fication,  he  was  regularly  assigned  to  the  command  by  order  of 
that  officer  on  October  15.  The  brigade  consisted  of  the  76th  and 
97th  P.  V.  and  the  47th  and  48th  N.  Y.  Subsequently,  Col.  John 
W.  Moore's  203d  P.  V.  was  added,  making  it  the  largest  in  the 
corps  and  one  of  the  most  efficient  in  the  service.  There  were  sub 
sequent  transfers  of  regiments  between  the  brigades  and  divisions 
of  the  10th  Corps  of  which  no  record  was  obtained.  The  following 
is  a  list  of  the  officers  who  served  with  Col.  Pennypacker  as  mem 
bers  of  his  staff,  viz.:  1st  Lieut.  Isaac  Eugene  Smith,  115th  N.  Y., 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general;  1st  Lieut.  James  Scott,  47th  N. 
Y.,  aid-de-camp;  Capt.  Abijah  S.  Pell,  Jr.,  47th  N.  Y.,  aid-de 
camp;  1st  Lieut.  Frank  D.  Barnum,  115th  N.  Y.,  acting  assistant 
inspector  general;  Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart,  97th  P.  V.,  chief 
medical  officer;  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  97th  P.  V.,  acting  com 
missary  of  subsistence;  1st  Lieut.  Zachariah  Paddock,  Jr.,  48th 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY. 


417 


N.  Y.,  acting  assistant  quarter-master;  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  Keogh, 
47th  N.  Y.,  ambulance  officer. 

Of  this  promotion,  the  Delaware  County  Republican  speaks  as 
follows: 

PROMOTION  IN  THE  97TH  REGIMENT,  P.  V. — A  correspondent  who  writes  to 
us  from  near  Petersburg,  under  date  of  September  19,  furnishes  the  following 
gratifying  intelligence  of  the  promotion  of  a  deserving  officer: 

"  Maj  G.  Pennypacker,  who  was  wounded  on  May  20,  in  the  memorable  charge 
upon  the  enemy's  line  in  front  of  Gen.  Butler's  position  at  Bermuda  Hundred, 
has  rejoined  the  97th  P.  V.,  having  been  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel  and  since 
colonel  of  the  Regiment.  He  commanded  during  the  engagements  at  Deep  Bot 
tom  and  Strawberry  Plains,  August  15  and  16,  where  the  Regiment  added  fresh 
laurels  to  its  previous  meritorious  record.  Col.  Pennypacker  enjoys  in  the  highest 
degree  the  confidence  of  his  officers  and  men,  as  well  as  of  his  corps  and  division 
commanders,  as  is  evident  from  his  being  entrusted  with  the  command  of  a  bri 
gade  almost  before  the  eagles  had  folded  their  wings  upon  his  shoulders.  He  is 
now  commanding  the  2d  brigade,  2d  division  of  the  10th  Army  Corps,  which 
holds  the  right  of  our  position  in  front  of  Petersburg.  It  is  seldom  that  promo 
tion  to  such  position  is  so  well  merited  in  all  the  requisite  qualifications." 

Col.  Pennypacker  entered  upon  the  command  of  the  brigade  with 
determination  to  fulfil  every  duty  as  faithfully  as  he  had  those  of 
less  responsible  stations.  He  at  once  made  personal  examination  of 
the  entire  line  under  his  command,  and  finding  that  in  some  respects 
more  effective  defences  were  requisite  to  the  safety  of  the  position, 
recommended  the  necessary  improvements,  which,  being  approved 
at  division  head-quarters,  were  immediately  carried  out  under  his 
direction. 

He  enjoined  upon  regimental  commanders  the  necessity  of  tho 
rough  order  and  discipline,  and  personal  attention  to  secure  the 
proper  performance  of  duty  by  the  men,  in  which  some  of  the  regi 
ments  had  become  quite  deficient.  His  staff  officers,  when  on  duty 
at  the  front,  were  required  to  acquaint  themselves  with  the  condition 
of  every  part  of  the  lines,  by  repeated  personal  observation,  so  as 
to  be  able  to  keep  him  advised  of  every  movement  on  the  part  of 
the  enemy  before  him.  His  own  example  of  personal  attention 
to  every  detail  necessary  for  the  security  of  his  position  became  the 
emulation  of  his  command,  a  stimulus  to  both  officers  and  men  in 
the  performance  of  every  duty. 

Col.  Pennypacker's  brigade  remained  upon  duty  in  the  trenches 
before  Petersburg,  Va.,  until  the  end  of  September,  1864,  the  ser 
vice  being  exceedingly  arduous,  critical  and  wearing  to  both  officers, 
and  men. 
27 


418  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Active  operations  on  the  north  side  of  the  James  River  were  re 
commenced  on  September  29.  Col.  Pennypacker  led  his  brigade  in 
the  engagement  at  Chapin's  Bluff  on  that  day,  participated  in  the 
operations  at  Fort  Harrison,  New  Market  Heights,  where  he  led 
his  men  with  great  gallantry,  surmounting  every  obstacle  in  the 
way,  and  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  from  a  portion  of  their 
lines,  capturing  during  the  day  several  heavy  guns  and  a  large 
number  of  prisoners. 

In  the  charge  upon  Fort  Gilmer,  Col.  Pennypacker,  at  the  head  of 
his  brigade,  passed  through  more  than  a  mile  of  slashing  and  over  a 
considerable  stream.  The  ground  being  quite  uneven  and  broken, 
the  men  were  unable  to  double-quick  on  account  of  the  obstructions. 
Col.  Pennypacker  was  among  the  wounded,  being  struck  on  the 
right  ankle  by  a  piece  of  shell,  causing  a  slight  but  very  painful 
wound.  His  horse  was  also  shot  while  he  was  riding  him  during 
the  action. 

Though  suffering  severely  from  his  wound  he  refused  to  leave  the 
field  during  the  engagement.  It  was  his  habit  to  remain  with  his 
men  until  entirely  disabled.  In  this  instance  he  could  not  be  pre 
vailed  upon  to  leave  his  command  while  duty  and  danger  demanded 
his  presence  to  ensure  the  safety  and  efficiency  of  his  brigade.  He 
did  not  leave  his  command  in  consequence  of  his  wound,  but  re 
mained  upon  duty  at  the  front,  receiving  only  such  attention  and  rest 
as  could  be  obtained  in  his  quarters  at  the  camp  of  his  brigade. 

In  the  actions  at  Darby  Town  Road  and  Charles  City  Road,  on 
October  7,  1864,  when  Gen.  Birney's  corps  repulsed  the  forces 
of  the  rebel  Gens.  Field  and  Hoke,  who  made  a  most  desperate 
attempt  to  drive  the  Army  of  the  James  from  its  position,  Col. 
Pennypacker's  brigade  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  Under  the  influ 
ence  of  his  presence  and  leadership  it  rendered  most  efficient  service 
in  securing  the  victory  which  crowned  the  old  10th  Corps  with  new 
laurels,  and  a  success  seldom  equalled 

On  October  29,  the  l()th  Corps  was  again  engaged  in  action  at 
Darby  Town  Road,  four  and  a  half  miles  from  Richmond.  His 
brigade  advanced  upon  the  enemy's  lines  and  drove  them  into  their 
inner  line  of  intrenchments,  under  a  galling  fire.  After  reaching  a 
somewhat  sheltered  position,  near  the  enemy's  line,  a  steady  tire 
was  kept  up  during  the  day ;  the  movement  being  a  feint  to  engage 
the  attention  of  the  enemy  while  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
fighting  at  Hatcher's  Run. 


G.  PENNTPACKEK,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          419 

In  this  engagement,  Col.  Pennypacker's  brigade  maintained  its 
well-earned  reputation  for  efficiency,  celerity  and  the  order  of  its 
movements;  overcoming  all  obstacles  in  the  way  with  a  determina 
tion  that  is  only  found  where  the  leader  is  present  and  co-operating 
with  the  men,  equally  ready  to  lead  them  on  to  victory  or  to  pre 
serve  them  from  disaster  in  defeat. 

About  November  1,  Col.  Pennypacker,  having  continued  in  the 
active  command  of  his  brigade,  through  every  exposure  since  his 
wound,  on  September  27,  was  now  compelled  to  remain  in  his  quar 
ters,  with  his  foot  elevated,  in  order  to  reduce  the  inflammation 
and  allow  it  to  heal.  He  suffered  considerable  pain  and  inconve 
nience  also  from  his  former  wounds.  Surgeon  A.  J.  H.  Buzzell,  3d 
N.  H.,  acting  medical  inspector  of  the  corps,  made  an  examination 
of  his  wounds  and  advised  him  to  take  a  leave  of  absence  and 
return  home  until  he  should  recover,  but  he  was  unwilling  to  leave 
his  command  at  a  time  of  such  active  operations. 

During  November,  1864,  his  brigade  occupied  the  lines  at 
Chapin's  Farm.  The  duty  was  of  that  arduous  and  wearing  cha 
racter  which  only  veterans  in  the  service  can  fully  appreciate.  So 
constant  and  persistent  was  the  tiring,  both  of  musketry  and  ar 
tillery,  that  each  day's  experience  was  such  as  would  formerly  have 
been  regarded  as  an  active  engagement. 

During  the  important  movements  occurring  between  the  14th  of 
August  and  the  end  of  November,  1864,  Col.  Pennypacker  was  con 
tinuously  in  command  of  his  brigade,  always  at  his  post  of  duty; 
always  prepared  for  instant  action ;  always  thoroughly  cognizant  of 
every  movement  of  the  enemy  on  his  front,  which  threatened  his 
position,  and  prepared  to  meet  the  emergency  by  a  prompt  and 
ready  support  of  his  picket  line  from  every  point  of  his  reserve  force; 
always  depending  upon  his  own  observation  of  the  situation  when 
possible,  and  requiring  of  his  subordinate  officers  that  efficient  per 
formance  of  every  duty  which  enabled  him  to  rely  upon  the  pre 
paration  he  might  make  to  secure  the  safety  and  success  of  every 
movement  contemplated.  Pleasant  and  courteous  in  bearing  toward 
all,  he  secured  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  command.  Few 
commanders  have  established  more  perfect  discipline  with  less  osten 
tatious  manner  of  enforcement.  Few  with  less  pretension  have 
reached  the  opportunity  for  demonstrating  those  qualities  requisite 
to  success  in  a  military  leader,  and  fewer  possessing  these  have  so 
singly  devoted  them  to  the  simple  performance  of  present  duty 


420  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

faithfully,  without  effort  to  secure  preferment  and  promotion  to  more 
responsible  position. 

Maj.  Gen.  Butler,  in  a  congratulatory  order  to  his  troops,  on  Oc 
tober  11,  1864,  thus  refers  to  the  services  of  Col.  Pennypacker: 
"*  Col.  G.  Pennypacker,  97th  P.  V.,  commanding 

2d  brigade,  2d  division,  10th  Corps,  for  his  zealous  and  untiring 
efforts  to  make  his  brigade  efficient,  and  for  the  manner  in  which 
he  led  it  in  action,  is  commended  by  his  corps  commander  and  re 
commended  to  the  President  for  promotion  by  brevet.  * 

The  concluding  pages  of  this  sketch  approach  the  culmination 
and  eventful  crowning  point  in  the  services  of  Col.  Pennypacker,  as 
they  stand  upon  the  pages  of  time,  a  part  of  the  history  of  our 
national  struggle.  Whether  written  or  unwritten,  these  have  a 
place  with -the  record  of  noble  deeds  that  have  rendered  imperish 
able  the  names  of  the  nation's  heroes.  These  will  remain  forever 
inseparable  from  the  cause  they  triumphantly  espoused. 

His  brigade  formed  a  part  of  the  force  that  accompanied  Gen. 
Butler's  first  expedition  against  Fort  Fisher.  The  result  of  that 
expedition,  however  fruitless,  can  in  no  sense  be  regarded  as  a 
failure  on  the  part  of  the  troops  selected  to  advance  against  that 
rebel  stronghold.  Col.  Pennypacker's  brigade,  with  Gen.  Ames' 
division,  was  landed,  under  cover  of  the  fire  of  the  naval  fleet,  on 
the  afternoon  of  December  25,  and  a  reconnoissance  at  once  ordered, 
with  which  Col.  Pennypacker  marched  at  the  head  of  his  brigade. 
The  result  of  the  reconnoissance  determined  Gen.  Butler  to  re-em 
bark  his  troops,  which  was  with  great  difficulty  accomplished  on 
account  of  the  turbulence  of  the  surf.  The  force  then  returned  to 
the  position  on  the  James  River,  near  Chapin's  Farm. 

His  brigade  also  accompanied  the  second  expedition  against  Fort 
Fisher,  which  was  entrusted  to  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  who 
embarked  his  force  on  January  2,  1865,  and  landed  the  entire  force 
(about  eight  thousand  men),  with  rations,  ammunition,  siege  train, 
intrenching  tools,  etc.,  on  the  evening  of  the  12th,  at  Federal 
Point,  N.  C. 

Col.  Pennypacker's  brigade,  with  Gen.  Paine's  and  another  bri 
gade  of  the  2d  division,  were  engaged  in  establishing  a  defensive 
line  across  the  island  during  the  night  after  the  landing,  having  to 
make  their  way  through  marsh,  swamps  and  thickets,  almost  im 
passable,  except  to  veteran  troops,  and  over  ground  but  poorly 
adapted  to  the  construction  of  an  intrenched  line;  the  distance  also 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          421 

being  found  to  be  too  great,  the  line  first  explored  was  abandoned 
and  a  lino  nearer  the  rebel  works,  and  much  shorter,  was  subse 
quently  established  and  intrenched  by  the  same  troops.  The  de 
scription  of  these  and  subsequent  movements  will  be  found  in  the 
words  of  Gen.  Terry's  report  to  Gen.  Rawlins,  chief  of  staff  at 
head-quarters  of  Gen.  Grant,  which  is  given  in  the  narrative  of  the 
Regiment. 

After  completing  the  inland  defences  therein  described,  Col. 
Pennypacker  led  his  brigade  with  distinguished  gallantry,  following 
closely  the  advance  of  Col.  Curtis'  1st  brigade  in  every  successive 
movement,  from  point  to  point,  closing  in  upon  the  enemy's  works 
by  a  rapid  advance,  and  finally  his  line  came  up  with  that  of  the 
1st  brigade,  at  the  moment  the  works  were  reached,  the  two  bri 
gades  entering  together  into  the  fierce  hand-to-hand  conflict  which 
ultimately  resulted  in  the  entire  occupation  of  the  formidable  fort. 
With  his  leading  regiment,  the  97th  P.  V.,  he  had  gained  the  third 
traverse  of  the  work,  upon  which  his  own  hand  planted  the  flag  of 
that  gallant  Regiment,  when  he  was  stricken  down  by  a  shot  of  one 
of  the  enemy,  whose  deliberate  aim  he  had  noticed,  just  in  front  of 
him,  as  he  was  placing  the  flag  upon  the  parapet. 

For  a  more  adequate  presentation  of  the  distinguished  service 
rendered  by  Col.  Pennypacker,  and  his  gallantry  in  the  command 
of  his  brigade,  during  this  brilliant  assault,  reference  is  here  made 
to  the  official  reports  above  mentioned,  and  to  a  letter  from  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  the  President,  given  in  another  chapter. 

From  these  reports,  it  is  quite  apparent  that  Col.  Pennypacker's 
brigade  bore  its  full  share  in  the  conflict,  and  his  own  terrible 
wounds,  received  in  the  fore  front  of  battle,  while  leading  his  com 
mand  and  in  the  act  of  placing  the  flag  of  his  own  Regiment,  the 
leading  one  of  his  brigade,  upon  the  rebel  parapet  attest  the  cou 
rageous  faithfulness  of  his  endeavor  to  do  his  duty. 

From  the  first  landing  of  the  troops,  until  the  hour  he  was 
stricken  down  in  the  midst  of  the  terrible  conflict,  he  was  constantly 
with  his  men,  always  leading  them,  never  telling  them  where  to  go, 
but  making  them  feel  that  he  depended  upon  them  to  follow  where 
he  would  try  to  lead  them — to  victory  and  success. 

The  following  letter — written  to  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss, 
by  Capt.  George  F.  Towle,  of  the  4th  N.  H.,  a  member  of  Gen. 
Guss'  staff  when  commanding  his  brigade  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C., 
in  1863,  who,  at  Fort  Fisher,  was  serving  upon  the  staff  of  Gen. 


422  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Terry  as  inspector  general — gives  the  only  reference  to  the  inci 
dents  connected  with  Gen.  Pennypacker's  command  in  that  action 
that  could  then  be  procured.  It  was  hoped  that  a  more  detailed 
account  of  the  general's  personal  efforts  on  that  day  might  be  ob 
tained  from  letters  or  from  the  recollections  of  officers  who  were 
present.  It  is  with  extreme  regret  this  part  of  the  sketch  is  limited 
to  paragraphs  from  the  official  reports  and  Capt.  Towle's  letter.  To 
such  as  are  familiar  with  military  reports  these  may  be  sufficient  to 
give  the  unobtrusive  record  of  valor,  duty,  peril  and  pain  encoun 
tered  on  that  day.  Yet  there  seems  wanting  the  pen  of  one  present 
with  him  to  give  full  measure  of  justice  to  this  sketch: 

FORT  FISHER,  N.  C.,  January  23,  1865. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  ofteu  thought  of  you,  since  you  went  home,  and 
have  many  times  intended  to  write  to  you,  but  there  was  always  something  to 
prevent.  You  have  read,  of  course,  of  what  we  have  been  doing  here.  The 
assault  was  magnificent.  For  six  hours,  success  seemed  doubtful.  The  men 
actually  clubbed  rifles  over  the  parapet,  and  the  fighting  was  of  that  hand-to- 
hand  character  we  so  often  read  about  but  seldom  see. 

The  2d  division  went  in,  in  three  lines:  first,  the  1st  brigade,  under  Curtis, 
then  the  2d,  under  Pennypacker,  then  the  3d,  under  Bell.  About  dark,  the 
2d  brigade  of  the  1st  division,  under  Abbott,  came  up  and  decided  the  day. 
Curtis  was  wounded;  Bell  was  wounded  and  died  the  next  day;  poor  Penny- 
packer  was  severely  wounded  while  leading  his  brigade  over  the  parapet, 
with  the  colors  of  the  97^?.  P.  V.  in  his  hand.  I  saw  him  as  he  was  brought 
off  on  a  stretcher;  he  refused  to  leave  the  field  until  he  had  seen  Gen.  Terry. 
I  told  the  general,  who  went  to  see  him.  Pennypacker  then  pointed  to  the 
foremost  flag  on  the  traverses,  and  wished  the  general  to  "take  notice  that 
was  the  flag  of  the  %1th  Pennsylvania."  Everybody  feels  badly  that  he  should 
receive  such  a  severe  wound,  and  none  more  so  than  myself.  Out  in  front  of 
Richmond  I  saw  him  often,  and  there  is  no  one  for  whom  I  have  more  affection 
and  respect.  He  has  been  brevetted  a  brigadier  general,  and  we  all  most  sin 
cerely  hope  he  may  live  to  enjoy  his  well-earned  honors. 

The  carrying  of  such  a  strong  work  as  Fort  Fisher,  by  assault,  is  an  event 
unparalled  in  military  history. 

Including  the  Mound  Battery  and  Battery  Buchanan,  there  were  eighty-four 
guns;  among  them  a  splendid  one-hundred-and-fifty-pounder  Armstrong  gun, 
with  a  mahogany  carriage,  presented  to  the  rebels  by  English  friends.  Geu. 
Terry  intends  to  present  it  to  West  Point  The  configuration  of  the  ground  and 
shore  between  Fort  Fisher  and  Battery  Buchanan  is  very  similar  to  that  be 
tween  Wagner  and  Gregg.  The  Mound  Battery  is  half  way  between.  After 
capturing  Fort  Fisher,  Abbott's  brigade  pushed  right  on  to  Battery  Buchanan, 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  further,  and  bagged  about  one  thousand  prisoners — those 
who  were  unable  to  get  away  for  want  of  boats.  The  prisoners  in  all  amounted 
to  nineteen  hundred  well  and  about  four  hundred  wounded.  *  *  * 

Believe  me  always,  truly  your  friend,  GEORGE  F.  TOWLE. 

To  (CoL.)  BREVET.  MAJ.  GEN.  H.  R.  Guss,  West  Chester,  Pa. 


G.  PENNYP ACKER,  BREVET  MAJOR  GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.     4 '23 

Immediately  after  the  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  Col.  Pennypacker 
was — upon  the  personal  recommendation  of  Secretary  Stanton,  who 
was  present  with  the  expedition — by  order  of  President  Lincoln 
breveted  brigadier  general  of  volunteers,  to  date  from  January  15, 
1865,  which  promotion  was  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate. 

He  was  soon  afterward  appointed  brigadier  general  of  volunteers, 
his  commission  being  dated  February  18,  1865.  This  appointment 
was  also  confirmed  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  His  ac 
ceptance  of  this  promotion  necessarily  severed  his  connection  with 
the  97th  P.  V.  as  its  commanding  officer.  He,  therefore,  addressed 
a  letter  of  farewell  to  the  officers  and  men  of  his  old  command, 
between  whom  and  himself  there  had  existed,  throughout  the  period 
of  service  together,  the  strongest  ties  of  faith  and  devotion  in  their 
respective  relations.  This  is  given  in  a  former  chapter. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  Maj.  Gen.  A.  H.  Terry,  command 
ing  Department  of  Virginia,  he  was  subsequently  appointed  by  the 
President  major  general  of  U.  S.  Vols.  by  brevet  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  services  during  the  war,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865. 
The  Senate  of  the  United  States  also  promptly  confirmed  this  ap 
pointment. 

The  following  communication,  from  the  Philadelphia  Press  of 
January  19,  1865,  is  expressive  of  the  feeling  of  the  people  at  his 
home,  appreciative  of  the  services  Gen.  Pennypacker,  and  many 
others  near  and  dear  to  them,  were  rendering  their  country  in  her 
struggle  with  armed  rebellion : 

THE  CAPTORS  OF  FORT  FISHER! 
To  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  PRESS. 

SIR:  Those  really  deserving  of  credit  for  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher  are  the 
three  commanders  of  the  tbive  brigades  and  the  men  under  their  command  who 
did  the  work  They  braved  all  the  danger.  Gen.  Terry,  coramander-in-chief, 
confided  the  terrible  charge  to  these  commanders,  having  full  faith  in  their  bra 
very  and  unyielding  courage.  All  honor  to  Gen.  Curtis,  Col.  Pennypacker  and 
Col.  Bell.  All  honor  to  the  men  whom  they  cjmmanded.  This  is  the  first  fort 
of  any  consequence  which  has  been  taken  by  storm  during  the  war. 

Col.  Pennypacker  is  a  son  of  Chester  County,  in  this  State,  and  has  won  bis 
way  from  the  ranks  to  his  present  position  by  his  own  merits.  He  is  every  inch 
a  soldier — beloved  by  bis  men — they  would  follow  him  to  the  cannon's  mouth. 
Born  on  the  storied  ground  of  Valley  Forge,  twenty-two  years  ago,  he  has  caught 
the  heroic  spirit  of  the  days  of  Seventy-Six.  We  pray  he  may  survive  his 
dangerous  wound  and  live  to  serve  his  country  among  the  long  list  of  Pennsyl 
vania's  patriotic  sons.  WAYNE. 

WEST  CHESTER,  January  18,  1865. 


424  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  same  appreciation  of  the  services  of  the  brave  veterans  who 
stormed  Fort  Fisher  is  breathed  also  in  voices  of  song  heraldic  of 
their  fame.  The  following  is  from  the  Delaware  County  Repub 
lican: 

TWO  HUNDRED  GUNS  TO-DAY. 

Two  thousand  shells  on  jester  morn  ! 

We  add  two  hundred  guns  to-night! 
On  Fisher's  ramparts  floats  the  flag 

That  traitors  tore  from  Sumter's  height. 

O'er  Moat,  Stockade  and  Parapet, 

The  Soldier  and  the  Sailor  flew, 

"Stranger  than  ever,"  Rebels  said! 

But  taken  by  a  "Yankee  Crew." 

Casemate  and  Bastion  were  in  vain, 
When  Terry  and  his  men  went  down ; 

And  Porter,  thundered  from  the  fleet, 

'Twas  done!  and  soon  we'll  have  the  town. 

Rebellion  Cotton  Loan  has  sunk 

Like  "Alabama"  o'er  the  sea; 
And  English  Lords  won't  take, 

Now  "Tallahassee"  is  not  free! 

"Such  fighting  never  was  before.''1 

And  in  that  fierce,  terrific  blaze, 
A  stripling  hero  foremost  leads — 

Ah!  Pennypacker,  dearly  pays! 

Two  hundred  guns,  again  we  say, 

In  honor  of  the  brave  and  great; 
A  glorious  mantle  o'er  them  spread, 

Who,  falling,  gave  us  Fisher's  Fate! 

January  20,  1865,  R.  M.  J N. 

In  collecting  the  foregoing  accounts  of  the  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
there  has  been  wanting  such  a  detailed  statement  of  events  as  to 
present  fully  the  part  enacted  by  Gen.  Pennypacker's  command,  with 
the  incidents  as  they  occured  in  the  terrible  contest  for  possession 
of  the  fort.  Officers,  with  whom  the  writer  has  conversed,  all  bear 
testimony  to  the  severity  of  the  conflict;  the  cool  and  brave  deter 
mination  of  the  young  brigade  commander;  his  prompt  movements 
in  obedience  to  orders;  his  presence  at  the  head  of  his  brigade, 
leading  in  every  advance,  until  at  last  he  was  stricken  down  at  the 
threshold  of  success,  when,  at  the  moment  of  having  seized  it,  he 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR   GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          425 

was  planting  the  flag  of  his  ovvti  Regiment  upon  the  third  traverse 
of  the  enemy's  most  formidable  work.  He  was  found  to  be  terribly 
wounded  through  the  right  side  and  hip  by  a  Minic  ball,  which 
fractured  the  upper  portion  of  the  pelvic  bone,  causing  a  most  pain 
ful  wound;  which,  from  the  action  of  the  muscles  in  close  attach 
ment  with  the  nerves,  rendered  him  incapable  of  such  rest  as  to 
secure  even  momentary  relief  from  pain.  He  consequently  suffered 
most  excruciatingly,  rendering  every  attempt  to  remove  him  from 
the  beach  to  the  transport  both  precarious  and  difficult.  He  bore 
his  sufferings  with  the  same  heroic  courage  which  characterized  his 
action  on  the  field. 

With  great  difficulty  he  was  removed  on  board  the  ocean  steamer 
Champion,  for  conveyance  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  at  which  place 
Gen.  Ord  gave  orders  to  detain  the  vessel  (one  of  the  largest  and 
most  expensive  of  those  chartered  in  the  service  of  the  govern 
ment)  until  it  should  be  deemed,  by  the  attending  surgeons,  entirely 
safe  to  attempt  his  removal  ashore;  very  justly  regarding  his  life 
of  more  account  to  the  government  than  the  few  hundreds  of  dol 
lars  that  were  the  contract  price  per  diem  of  the  steamer.  As  soon 
as  it  was  possible,  he  was  removed  to  Chesapeake  Hospital,  where 
he  received  every  attention  which  medical  and  surgical  skill  could 
devise  for  his  relief.  His  recovery  was  for  a  long  time  regarded 
extremely  doubtful.  His  sufferings  were  of  unremitting  and  in 
tense  severity,  but  through  judicious  treatment  and  nursing,  and  the 
best  medical  care,  superintended  by  Ur.  David  11.  Brower,  execu 
tive  medical  officer  at  Fortress  Monroe,  an  old  schoolmate  of  the 
general,  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  enabled  to  return  to  his  home, 
in  West  Chester,  Pa.,  after  having  remained  in  hospital  for  about 
ten  months. 

When  it  became  known  that  Gen.  Pennypacker  was  about  to 
return  to  his  home,  it  was  unanimously  determined  by  the  citizens 
of  West  Chester  to  give  him  a  suitable  welcome  which  should,  in 
some  degree,  give  expression  to  their  appreciation  of  his  eminent 
and  faithful  services. 

On  the  evening  of  November  10,  1865,  a  previously  appointed 
committee  met  at  the  Green  Tree  Hotel  to  make  the  final  arrange 
ments  for  the  reception  of  the  general,  expected  on  the  next  day. 
At  4  P.  M.,  on  the  llth,  the  Court  House  bell  was  rung,  as  pre 
viously  arranged,  to  announce  his  arrival.  The  citizens  began  to 
congregate  in  front  of  that  building. 


426  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  cadets  of  Mr.  Wyers  and  of  Col.  Hyatt's  military  schools 
were  soon  upon  the  ground  and  formed  in  line;  the  citizens  gene 
rally  in  line  in  the  rear.  Preceded  by  Capt.  Sweeney's  Cornet 
Band,  the  column  moved  out  on  the  Wilmington  Road  to  the  borough 
line  to  receive  the  general,  who  was  on  his  way  from  Wilmington, 
accompanied  by  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss  and  Capt.  Frank  D. 
Barnum,  115th  N.  Y.,  an  aid  upon  the  general's  staff,  who  had 
been  detailed,  by  order  of  the  War  Department,  to  attend  upon 
him  during  his  confinement  to  the  hospital  and  until  his  recovery. 
At  5  P.  M.,  the  barouche  containing  the  party  came  in  sight  and 
was  received  with  cheers  and  huzzas  of  welcome,  which  continued 
along  the  entire  route  as  the  procession  moved  through  the  prin 
cipal  streets  of  the  town.  The  general  was  everywhere  greeted  by 
the  cheers  and  shouts  of  enthusiastic  welcome  of  his  friends  and  by 
the  smiles,  tears,  waving  hands  and  white  handkerchiefs  from  the 
fair  ones  of  those  homes  that  had  given  him  their  benediction  more 
than  four  years  before. 

Arriving  at  the  Court  House,  he  descended  from  the  carriage,  look 
ing  upon  the  faces  around  him,  with  grateful  feeling  for  their 
welcome  manifest  in  his  ruddy,  manly  face,  still  unchanged  in  its  in 
tegrity;  yet  not  with  the  same  elastic  step  with  which  he  had  gone 
forth!  for  now  he  slowly  entered  the  hall  of  the  Court  House,  to 
hear  their  words  of  welcome,  leaning  upon  crutches  and  supported 
on  either  side,  moving  with  difficulty  that  told  of  pain  and  suffering 
endured  and  still  to  be  borne  through  long  years,  perhaps,  as  part 
of  the  price  paid  for  this  joyous  greeting.  In  the  court  room  all 
were  assembled  who  could  obtain  a  place,  eager  to  hear  and  to  see 
the  brave  young  leader  of  heroes;  for  many  of  those,  dear  to  many 
a  home  and  heart  in  that  gathering,  had  been  with  him,  meeting 
their  country's  foes.  Ladies  and  citizens,  the  grandest  and  humblest, 
there  met  to  give  welcome  to  one  who,  as  a  representative,  held  an 
equal  place  in  the  regard  of  every  class  and  every  heart.  When 
order  could  be  obtained,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  recep 
tion,  Dr.  Wilmer  Worthington,  addressed  the  general  as  follows: 

General — I  have  been  designated,  by  your  neighbors  and  fellow  citizens,  to 
give  you  a  cordial  welcome  to  your  home.  I  need  scarcely  say,  the  duty  is  one 
which  affords  me  great  pleasure,  however  incompetent  I  may  feel  for  its  perform 
ance.  When  our  national  flag  was  assailed  by  armed  treason  and  the  little  band 
of  patriot  soldiers  who  garrisoned  Fort  Sumter  wer^  compelled  to  surrender  it, 
and  the  President  of  the  United  States,  under  a  full  sense  of  the  solemn  respon- 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  AKMY.  427 

sibilities  which  rested  upon  him,  as  Chief  Magistrate,  made  his  appeal  to  the 
patriotism  of  the  nation  to  rally  in  defence  of  that  flap,  you,  with  thousands  of 
others,  responded  to  the  call  and  entered  the  service  as  a  non-commissioned  officer 
in  the  three  months'  volunteers.  Your  youthful  but  manly  heart,  throbbing  with 
emotions  of  the  warmest  patriotism,  incited  you  to  deeds  of  martini  fame.  The 
comforts  of  home  were  exchanged  for  the  dangers  of  the  battle-field !  and  the 
national  honor,  the  safety  of  the  republic,  and  the  freedom  of  our  race,  all  com 
bined  to  animate  and  inspire  you  to  noble  efforts  in  behalf  of  hi'.man  liberty. 

After  the  termination  of  your  first  engagement  in  the  military  service,  you  did 
not  hesitate  to  renew  your  pledge  to  stand  by  the  government  in  its  efforts  to 
save  the  nation.  You  raised  a  company  of  volunteers,  and  being  chosen  its 
captain,  it- formed  a  part  of  the  N7inety-Seventh  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  which  went  into  service  under  the  command  of  our  gallant  towns 
man,  Col.  Henry  R.  Guss. 

In  this  connection  you  remained  until  you  had  reached  the  highest  position  in 
the  Regiment  and,  for  gallant  conduct  in  the  field,  had  been  advanced  to  the 
honorable  rank  you  now  so  meritoriously  occupy.  I  would  not  attempt,  upon  this 
occasion,  to  enumerate  all  the  services  in  which  this  Regiment  has  been  en 
gaged,  and  in  which  you  and  others  have  gathered  so  many  unfading  honors. 
The  many  brave  hearts  which  have  ceased  to  pulsate,  and  lie  buried  in  the  war 
rior's  grave,  and  the  painful  wounds  which  you,  ajid  others,  still  living,  have  re 
ceived,  will  long  attest  the  gallantry  of  its  deeds,  which  will  never  cease  to  be 
held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  a  loyal  and  patriotic  people 

From  the  rank  of  captain  you  advanced  to  that  of  major,  and  when  the  Regi 
ment  left  Camp  Wayne  for  the  seat  of  war,  on  November  16,  1861,  you  held  this 
position;  you  were  afterwards  made  lieutenant  colonel  and  then  colonel;  and 
while  holding  this  rank,  you  were  in  command  of  a  brigade!  For  gallant  con 
duct  at  Fort  Fisher,  you  were  brevetted  a  brigadier  general,  on  January  15,  1865, 
and  on  the  same  day  received  the  commission  of  a  brigadier  general  in  full. 
While  your  friends  at  home  have  watched  your  military  career,  and  no  iced  with 
pride  and  satisfaction  your  advancement  from  rank  to  rank — the  officers  in  com 
mand,  who  have  enjoyed  so  many  opportunities  of  learning  your  heroic  bearing, 
amidst  scenes  of  the  greatest  peril,  have  borne  their  testimony  to  your  worth  as 
a  man  and  your  skill  and  bravery  as  a  soldier  and  an  officer.  We  are  not  un 
mindful  that,  in  the  moment  of  triumph,  at  Fort  Fisher,  when  you  had,  by  your 
own  hand,  raised  the  first  ru^im'Mital  flag  upon  the  parap't,  you  fell,  by  a  severe 
wound,  from  which  you  still  suffer,  and  which  has  prevented  an  earlier  return  to 
the  embrace  of  your  relatives  and  friends. 

The  services  of  (he  97th  Regiment  are  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  nation.  It 
has  endured  privations  and  dangers  which  have  covered  both  officers  and  men 
with  distinguished  honors.  A  midst  the  malarial  swamps  of  a  southern  climate 
they  have  shared  the  perils  of  disease;  and  on  picket  and  in  skirmishing  service, 
as  well  as  on  the  hard-contested  battle  fields  in  general  engagments,  or  storming 
the  best-constructed  and  ably-defended  forts  of  the  enemy,  it  has  never  failed  in 
duty. 

Your  name  is  closely  identified  with  the  achievements  of  the  97th  Regiment, 
and  in  connection  with  other  troops,  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher.  The  future 
historian  in  recording  the  events  of  that  day,  will  not  omit  to  mention  the  97th 


428  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

76th  and  203d  Regiments  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  the  47th  and  48th  Regi 
ments  of  New  York,  and  the  brave  son  of  Chester  County,  who  led  them  in  the 
deadly  conflict,  and  planted  upon  its  walls  the  regimental  colors  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  pierced  by  more  than  one  hundred  bullets. 

Who  is  there  here  to-day  that  is  not  moved,  deeply  moved,  by  such  a  scene  as 
this?  can  any  loyal  heart  feel  insensible  under  such  a  meeting?  A  brave  and 
patriotic  youth,  returning  to  his  home,  receiving  the  cordial  greeting  of  ardent 
and  anxious  friends,  bearing  the  scars,  enduring  the  suffering  of  many  wounds, 
and  covered  with  the  brightest  honor  heroic  deeds  can  bestow.  What  sympathy 
of  our  nature  is  not  enlisted?  what  feeling  of  admiration  is  wanting?  what  love 
and  gratitude  is  not  called  forth  as  we  meet  to  welcome  one  so  endeared  to  our 
hearts?  f 

When  the  telegraph  flashed  along  its  wires  the  intelligence  that  Fort  Fisher 
had  been  taken,  and  that  you  had  received  what  was  supposed  to  be  a  mortal 
wound,  whilst  amid  a  shower  of  iron  hail  you  had  planted  the  stars  and  stripes 
upon  its  battlements — we  sadly  felt  the  loss  we  had  sustained,  but  rejoiced  over 
the  completeness  of  the  victory!  Our  sadness  is  now  turned  to  joy,  the  battle 
has  been  won,  and  we  receive  with  a  cordial  welcome  the  gallant  and  conva 
lescent  chieftain  who  aided  so  nobly  to  secure  the  triumph.  We  hail  you,  not 
only  as  a  brave  son  of  Pennsylvania,  but  also  of  Chester  County. 

A  new  impulse  has  been  given  to  human  freedom,  our  free  American  institu 
tions  have  been  revived  and  brightened  by  the  severe  ordeal  to  which  they  have 
been  exposed,  and  they  stand  out  to  the  admiring  gaze  of  other  nations  with 
greater  splendor,  and  inspiring  more  cheering  hopes  to  the  down-trodden  and  op 
pressed  nations  of  all  the  earth. 

That  you  may  soon  be  restored  to  perfect  health,  that  you  may  hang  further 
honors  upon  that  flag  you  have  so  bravely  defended,  and  that  you  may  long  live 
to  witness  the  glorious  fruits  of  that  war,  in  which  you  have  so  largely  partici 
pated,  is  the  earnest  and  constant  wish  of  every  friend  of  the  Union. 

Dr.  Worthington's  address  of  welcome  was  responded  to  by 
William  Darlington,  Esq.,  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks,  on  behalf 
of  the  general,  who  was  much  debilitated  and  incapable  of  either 
physical  or  mental  exertion  adequate  to  the  occasion.  The  general 
was  afterward  cordially  greeted  by  his  fellow-citizens,  who  gathered 
around  him,  eager  to  grasp  the  hand  which  had  so  bravely  borne 
aloft  the  flag,  bright  and  fresh,  four  years  before,  but  now  pierced 
by  hundreds  of  bullets  and  tattered  by  the  storms  of  war;  which 
had  seized  it  in  the  thickest  of  the  assault  and  waved  its  folds  upon 
the  walls  of  Fort  Fisher,  where  he  fell  sorely  wounded,  but  it  re 
mained  in  the  front  of  the  fight  to  mark  the  spot.  Almost  shrink 
ing  from  the  honors  and  manifestations  of  the  appreciation  of  his 
services  which  his  fellow  citizens  desired  to  shower  upon  him,  his 
retiring  unobtrusive  demeanor  indicated  that  his  modesty  equalled 
his  valor. 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BKEVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.  429 

Gen.  Pennypacker  remained  at  West  Chester,  the  guest  of  his 
former  commander,  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  H.  11.  Guss.  He  there  had 
several  painful  relapses  of  suffering  from  his  wound,  requiring  con 
finement  to  his  bed.  At  the  expiration  of  his  leave,  feeling  inca 
pable  of  further  service,  he  tendered  his  resignation,  on  February 
'Js.  lsli().  hut  it  was  not  accepted  1>\  the  War  I  Jcjiartiiicnt. 

His  leave  of  absence  was  extended  sixty  days,  at  the  end  of  which 
time,  being  still  unable  to  resume  active  duty,  he  again  tendered  his 
resignation,  which  was  finally  accepted  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  to 
take  effect  on  April  30,  1866. 

Gen.  Pennypackcr  was  the  first  officer  of  the  97th  P.  V.  to  be 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  the  last  of  the 
original  officers  of  the  •  llegiment  to  leave  the  service,  having  been 
continuously  in  the  army  a  few  days  over  five  years.  He  was  a  most 
excellent  officer,  a  man  of  refined  feelings  and  culture,  whose  modest 
and  unassuming  worth  won  their  way  to  recognition  and  advance 
ment  in  the  service,  through  sterling  merit  alone;  securing  alike  the 
confidence  of  his  superior  officers,  the  respect,  the  admiration,  and 
the  ready  service  of  all  under  his  command.  Few  are  more  de 
serving  the  love  and  the  gratitude  of  their  fellow  countrymen  for 
arduous  service,  so  faithfully,  so  cheerfully,  so  nobly  devoted  to  a 
cause  that  called  forth  the  best  of  the  sons  of  many  homes  to  serve 
their  country,  and,  if  need  be,  to  sacrifice  their  lives  that  their 
country  might  live.  While  so  many  of  these  have  left  sad  homes 
filled  with  sorrow  that  rests  as  a  cloud  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
living,  and  the  nation  holds  their  memory  sacredly  cherished,  silent 
witnesses  of  the  cost  of  human  freedom ;  there  are  also  other  wit 
nesses  whose  scars,  wounds  and  continued  suffering  are  a  part  of 
that  price  to  be  held  most  precious  in  the  regard  of  their  country 
men.  Together  with  these,  the  name  of  Maj.  Gen.  Penny  packer 
will  remain  inseparable  from  the  history  of  our  country,  engraven 
as  it  is  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  treasure  the  deeds  of  her  heroes. 

During  the  period  of  service,  he  was  wounded  seven  times  within 
eight  months.  Within  one  year  he  received  five  promotions.  He 
was  the  youngest  general  officer  who  served  in  the  army  during  the 
war,  having  been  confirmed  a  brigadier  and  brevet  major  general 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 

On  the  1st  of  April,  1866,  he  commenced  reading  law  in  the 
office  of  Hon.  Wayne  MacVeagh,  at  West  Chester,  and  pursued  the 
study  during  the  summer  of  1866,  with  some  interruption,  however, 


430  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  recurrence  of  painful  irritation  in  his   only  partially  healed 
wounds. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  regular  army,  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  Pennsylvania  became  entitled,  in  the  distribution  of  offices, 
to  one  colonelcy,  which  was  offered  to  Gen.  Pennypacker.  The 
board  of  examiners  are  reported  to  have  received  explicit  directions 
concerning  any  difficulty  they  might  have  in  regard  to  his  physical 
condition,  from  Secretary  Stan  ton,  who,  to  use  the  language  of 
Gen.  Harry  White,  "loved  him."  On  the  1st  of  December,  1866, 
he  received,  from  President  Lincoln,  the  appointment  of  colonel  of 
the  34th  Infty.,  U.  S.  Army,  to  date  from  July  28,  1866,  per 
mission  being  given  him,  by  the  War  Department,  to  delay  joining 
his  regiment,  in  order  to  have  the  benefit  /)f  further  surgical  and 
medical  care  and  more  perfect  recovery  from  his  wounds.  He  was 
also  appointed,  by  the  President,  brevet  brigadier  general  and 
brevet  major  general,  U.  S.  Army,  which  promotions  were  promptly 
confirmed  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  to  rank  from  March 
29,  1867. 

He  remained  at  West  Chester  until  about  May  20,  1867,  when 
he  joined  his  regiment,  then  stationed  at  Grenada,  Miss.,  where 
he  continued  in  its  command,  and  at  times  in  command  of  the  sub 
district  of  Mississippi,  until  October,  1870;  during  which  time  he 
was  also  for  a  few  months  engaged  as  president  of  a  military  com 
mission  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  He  served  also  as  a  member  of  the 
Retiring  Board  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  Subsequently,  he 
was  in  command  of  the  sub  district,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  other  localities  in  the  Department  of  the  Southwest,  from 
time  to  time,  as  the  service  required,  until  December  22, 1871,  when 
he  received  a  leave  of  absence,  for  one  year,  with  permission  to  visit 
Europe. 

Upon  the  reduction  of  the  army,  by  act  of  Congress,  in  March, 
1869,  the  34th  Infty.  being  discontinued  as  an  organization,  Col. 
Pennypacker  was  assigned  to  the  16th  Infty.,  U.  S.  Army,  and  con 
tinues  to  hold  that  command,  the  youngest  colonel  in  the  United 
States  Army. 

After  a  period  of  over  five  years'  continuous  service— in  the  ad 
ministration  of  affairs,  in  a  disorganized  community  where  diverse 
and  conflicting  sentiments  and  interests  met  in  jealous  array,  tend 
ing  to  render  the  duties  of  a  military  commander  both  arduous  and 
delicate — it  is  found,  from  the  testimony  of  all  parties  and  classes 


G.  PENNYPACKER,  BREVET    MAJOR    GENERAL,  U.  S.  ARMY.          431 

and  from  the  entire  local  southern  press  that  the  impartial  direct 
ness,  even-handed  justice  and  the  uniform  kindness  manifested  by 
Gen.  Pennypacker  toward  all,  in  both  official  and  social  intercourse, 
have  secured  for  him  a  popularity  and  regard  as  deserved  as  they 
are  general. 

During  the  last  gubernatorial  canvass  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1872, 
Gen.  Pennypacker's  name  was  prominently  presented  by  many  of 
the  most  influential  papers  in  the  State  for  nomination  as  a  candi 
date  for  that  high  office,  and  was  most  favorably  considered  by  those 
who  sought  to  harmonize  conflicting  interests  between  prominent 
rival  aspirants  for  that  position,  by  suggesting  a  candidate  so  distin 
guished  and  so  deservedly  popular  as  to  ensure  the  united  support 
of  all  parties  and  classes.  To  his  friends  in  the  convention,  who 
were  desirous  to  promote  his  nomination,  he  expressed  grateful  ap 
preciation  for  the  intended  honor,  which  he  respectfully  and  posi 
tively  declined  to  accept,  preferring  to  retain  his  present  position  in 
the  United  States  Army.  His  name  was  therefore  withdrawn  from 
the  convention  before  a  vote  was  taken.  Had  he  been  nominated 
for  the  office  of  Governor,  at  that  time,  his  age  would  have  been 
barely  above  the  constitutional  limit. 

The  year  of  his  leave  of  absence  was  mostly  spent  abroad,  visit 
ing  the  chief  places  of  interest  on  the  continent,  being  everywhere 
received  with  distinguished  consideration  by  the  officials  of  those 
governments,  to  whom  he  had  letters  of  introduction  from  officers 
of  the  government,  the  army,  and  others. 

Letters  were  sent  to  him  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  desiring 
him  to  attend  and  observe  the  manoeuvres  of  the  British  army  about 
to  take  place,  but  he  failed  to  receive  them  in  time  to  do  so,  owing 
to  his  having  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  American  Minister  at 
Berlin  (Hon.  Mr.  Bancroft)  to  remain  and  participate  in  the  cere 
monies  attendant  upon  the  meeting  of  the  Emperors  of  Russia, 
Austria  and  Germany,  at  that  city.  He  was  received  there  with 
great  cordiality  and  attention  as  a  guest,  and  as  the  representative 
of  the  American  Army.  His  modest  demeanor  everywhere  won  for 
him  the  praises  of  the  German  papers,  as  the  writer  has  had  fre 
quent  opportunity  to  see;  the  German  people  generally  being 
ardent  in  appreciation  of  such  qualities  in  those  occupying  distin 
guished  positions,  especially  where  the  persons  possessing  them  are 
Americans. 

After  returning  from  Europe,  his  leave  of  absence  was  extended 


432  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

for  six  months,  in  consideration  of  his  having  served  over  five  years 
continuously  without  leave.  He  visited  Canada  and  made  the  tour 
of  the  Dominion  Provinces  during  the  spring  of  1873,  and,  having 
returned  again  to  his  home  in  West  Chester,  was  about  preparing 
to  rejoin  his  command  at  Nashville,  but  owing  to  the  occurrence  of 
yellow  fever,  of  malignant  type,  at  Memphis  and  other  places  in  the 
southwest,  he  received  orders  to  delay  returning  for  sixty  days  after 
the  expiration  of  his  present  leave.  At  the  termination  of  which 
time,  although  the  disease  was  still  prevailing — the  frosts  not  having 
yet  materially  neutralized  the  malarious  influences  of  the  poison — his 
sense  of  duty  would  not  permit  him  to  prolong  his  absence  from  his 
command,  although  an  order  of  the  War  Department,  recently 
published,  gave  permission  to  officers,  upon  leave  or  upon  orders 
from  stations  where  the  fever  prevailed,  to  delay  returning  until  all 
danger  from  the  fever  was  over.  He,  therefore,  returned  to  Nash 
ville  on  October  16,  1873.  His  command  (16th  Tnfty.  U.  S.  Army) 
is  at  present,  April,  1875,  distributed  at  various  places  throughout 
the  Southern  States,  with  head-quarters  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

AUGUSTUS  P.  DUER,  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGI 
MENT  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS. 

Augustus  P.  Duer,  born  April,  1818,  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  is  the 
son  of  the  late  distinguished  lawyer,  John  Duer,  Esq.,  of  the  Ches 
ter  County  Bar,  to  which  he  was  admitted  about  1804. 

Mr.  Duer  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Lord  Sterling,  of  Revolu 
tionary  fame.  The  family  of  Duer  is,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
one  of  eminence  even  at  the  present  day. 

A.  P.  Duer  entered  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West 
Point,  on  July  1,  1837,  being  then  nineteen  years  and  three  months 
of  age.  Among  his  classmates  there  were  the  distinguished  Union 
Generals  Rodman,  Tower,  Lyon,  Wright,  Brannan.  John  F.  Rey 
nolds,  Hamilton,  Sulley,  Buel,  Brookes  and  others.  He  remained 
at  the  academy  four  years,  receiving  a  thorough  military  education, 
although  he  resigned  without  graduating.* 

Mr.  Duer  subsequently  engaged  in  business  as  a  civil  engineer, 
being  first  employed  in  building  a  railroad  to  open  up  the  coal  de 
posits  on  Broad  Mountain — the  road  running  from  the  Susquehanna 

*History  of  Chester,  Delaware  County,  Pa.,  by  J.  Hill  Martin. 


AUGUSTUS   P.  DUER,  LIEUTENANT   COLONEL.  433 

River  up  Clark's  Creek  to  the  mountain — afterward  in  locating  and 
building  the  West  Chester  and  Philadelphia  Railroad,  and  still 
later  was  engaged  upon  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  Railroad,  in 
Missouri. 

For  several  years  previous  to  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  was  en 
gaged  i  i  the  real  estate  business,  at  West  Chester,  in  connection 
with  the  late  Cheyney  Nields,  Esq. 

He  was  an  active,  energetic  Republican,  and  entered  earnestly 
into  the  campaign  of  1856  in  support  of  Col.  Fremont  for  the 
Presidency,  and  again  in  I860  participated  in  the  successful  efforts 
toward  the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  President  of  the  United 
States. 

On  October  7,  1861,  he  was  appointed  lieutenant  colonel  of  the 
97th  Regiment,  then  organi/ing  at  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester, 
and  was  in  command  at  that  place  during  a  portion  of  the  time  the 
Regiment  remained  there.     He  was  detailed  at  Jacksonville,  Fla., 
by  Special  Order  No.  5,  March  28,  1862,  president  of  a  council  of 
administration  for  the  examination  of  applicants   for  appointment 
to  sutler  for  the  97th  Regiment  and  for  the  regulation  of  a  tariff  of 
prices  for  merchandise,  etc.,  at  that  post;  detailed  on  general  court- 
martial  at  Edisto,  S.  C.,  in  May  1862;  commanded  detachment  of 
Regiment,  Companies.  G,  H  and  other  forces  occupying  Legaree- 
ville,  S.  C.,  during  the  first  advance  upon  Charleston,  from  June 
9,  1862  to  July  7,  1862;  commanded  Regiment  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  from  August  I,  1862,  to  September  12,  1862;  again  from  Oc 
tober  30,  1862,  to  November  10,  1862,  a  portion  of  which  time  the 
Regiment  was  on  picket  duty  on  Broad  River;  detailed  on  court- 
martial,  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  during  part  of  September.  1862;  again 
commanded  the  Regiment  at  Edisto  and  Seabrook  Islands,  S.  C., 
during  portions  of  April,  May  and  June,  1863;  commanded  detach 
ment  of  Regiment  in  action  at  Fort  Wagner,  S.  C.,  April  18,  1863; 
commanded  convalescent  camp  at   St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  from 
July  22  to  September  30,   1863.     His  health  having  become  im 
paired,  he  then  received  a  sick  leave  of  absence  and  returned  home; 
rejoined  the  Regiment,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  October  24,  1864.      His 
health  continuing  unimproved,  he  resigned,  in  March,   1864,  and 
was  honorably  discharged  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  3,  1864. 

In  1865,  he  became  engaged  in  mining  operations  in  Colorado, 
where  he  remained  some  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  home  at 
Penningtonville,  where  he  continues  to  reside. 


434  HISTORY  OF  THE  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT. 

ISAIAH  PRICE,  MAJOR   NINETY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   PENNSYLVANIA 
VOLUNTEERS  AND  BREVET  COLONEL  U.  S.  VOLS. 

Isaiah  Price*  was  born,  on  May  20,  1822,  in  East  Bradford  Town 
ship,  Chester  County,  Pa.  His  father  was  Benjamin  Price,  son  of 
Philip  Price,  for  many  years  Superintendent  of  Friends'  Westtown 
Boarding  School,  and  the  founder  of  Price's  School  for  Girls,  in 
West  Chester.  Both  lived  for  many  years  upon  the  estate  upon 
which  Col.  Price  was  born;  both  were  prominent  members  of  the 
religious  Society  of  Friends.  They  were  men  of  high  character  for 
integrity,  intelligence  and  enterprise,  and  took  a  leading  part  in 
all  movements  calculated  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  people.  In 
the  adoption  of  improved  methods  in  agriculture  they  were  pioneers. 

Col.  Price's  mother  was  Jane,  daughter  of  Jacob  Paxson,  of 
Abington,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  all  of  whose  family  were  active 
members  of  the  same  religious  society — so  that,  upon  both  sides, 
he  sprung  from  Quaker  stock,  and  in  that  faith  he  received  all 
his  early  training — a  prominent  point  of  which  was  "ever  to  be 
guided  by  the  dictates  of  duty  within  the  heart  of  the  individual." 
It  was,  perhaps,  the  logical  working  of  this  principle  that  led  so 
many  young  Quakers  to  lay  aside  the  peaceful  tenets  of  the  society 
and  enter  actively  into  the  grand  contest  between  despotism  and 
human  freedom. 

His  boyhood  was  spent  upon  the  farm  of  his  parents,  engaged, 
with  other  brothers  (one  of  whom  served  with  the  1st  Pennsylvania 
Reserves  during  their  whole  period  of  service),  in  the  active  duties 
ol  the  farm.  His  school  education  was  received  at  the  neighbor 
hood  schools,  Mr.  Bolmar's  Academy  and  Friend's  Select  School,  at 
West  Chester,  and  at  an  academy  in  Byberry,  Pa.,  under  the  care 
of  John  G.  Lewis.  It  embraced  all  the  branches  of  a  liberal  Eng 
lish  education  and  some  progress  in  the.  Latin  language.  He,  of 
course,  received  no  military  education  whatever.  His  natural  bent 
inclined  to  the  finer  mechanical  arts,  and  for  several  years  before 
entering  the  army  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  dentistry, 
having  graduated  at  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Dental  Surgery, 
in  1854,  being  one  of  the  first  class  of  matriculants. 

*This  biographical  sketch,  prepared,  by  a  relative  of  the  author,  for  Prof. 
Samuel  P.  Bates,  State  Historian,  is  permitted  to  appear  in  this  work  as  a  part  of 
the  record,  at  the  earnest  suggestion  of  those  most  interested  in  the  publication 
of  the  history  of  the  Regiment. 


r/f  X  ' 


ISAIAH    PRICE,  BREVET   COLONEL,  U.  S.  VOLS.  435 

In  stature4  he  is  about  medium,  with  a  broad,  firmly  knit  frame, 
and,  until  weakened  by  an  attack  of  illness,  while  a  student,  his 
health  was  perfect.  Trained  by  most  careful  and  conscientious 
parents,  his  habits  are  altogether  exemplary. 

In  1846,  he  was  married  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Jacob  Heald,  of 
Hockessin,  Delaware,  and  settled  in  West  Chester,  Pa. 

He  never  held  civil  office. 

On  August  23,  1861,  he  received  from  Col.  II.  R.  Guss,  then 
engaged  in  recruiting  a  regiment  of  infantry  for  the  United  States 
service,  the  authority  to  recruit  a  company,  and,  on  September  18, 
with  eighty-three  men  enlisted,  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States  as  captain  of  Company  C,  97th  P.  V.  On  Sep 
tember  23,  the  company  was  filled  to  the  maximum  number  of  one 
hundred  and  one  men.  The  Regiment  left  Camp  Wayne,  West 
Chester,  November  16,  1861;  was  stationed  a  few  days  at  Wash 
ington;  then  ordered  to  Port  Royal,  S.  C.  (via  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.), 
where  it  arrived  on  December  15.  On  January  3,  1862,  Capt.  Price 
was  detailed  upon  recruiting  service  and  ordered  to  report  at  llar- 
risburg.  Early  in  May  following,  he  was  ordered  to  rejoin  his 
Regiment  with  his  recruits,  which  he  did  at  Lcgarecville,  S.  C.,  on 
June  5.  With  his  Regiment,  he  participated  in  the  engagements 
on  John's  Island,  S.  C.,  June  7,  1862;  at  GrimbalPs  Plantation, 
James  Island,  June  10,  1862,  and  at  Secession ville,  June  16,  1862. 

During  a  portion  of  the  winter  of  1862—63  he  was  detailed  upon 
court-martial  duty.  He  participated  in  the  engagement  at  Ste 
vens'  Landing,  James  Island,  July  16,  1863;  was  in  command 
of  the  Regiment  during  most  of  the  siege  of  Forts  Wagner  and 
Gregg,  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  from  July  18  to  October  2,  1863; 
moved  with  the  Regiment  to  Fernandina,  Fla.,  October,  1863,  and 
was  there  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  marshal. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer,  April  3,  1864, 
Maj.  Pennypacker  was  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel  and  Capt. 
Price  to  major,  to  rank  from  April  3,  1864.  Their  commissions, 
delayed  in  consequence  of  the  active  operations  in  Virginia,  were 
not  received  until  June  6,  when,  from  unavoidable  circumstances, 
Maj.  Price  could  not  be  mustered. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  in  April. 
1864,  he  was  transferred  with  the  Regiment  to  Virginia  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  advance  upon  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Rail 
road,  and  in  action  at  Swift  Creek,  on  May  9,  and  in  the  engage- 


436  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

ment  at  Green  Plains,  Va.,  on  May  18,  in  which  the  91th  P.  V. 
lost,  in  killed  and  wounded,  fifty-five  men. 

On  the  night  of  May  19,  he  was  on  picket  duty  with  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  men  of  the  Regiment.  During  the  night,  the  rebels 
made  several  attacks  upon  the  line,  but  were  repulsed.  At  daylight, 
on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  Maj.  Price  became  satisfied  that  the 
rebels  were  mat- sing  their  forces  upon  this  part  of  the  picket  line 
and  reported  the  fact  to  the  officer  of  the  day,  urging  the  necessity 
of  reinforcements.  As  the  intentions  of  the  enemy  became  more 
apparent,  two  other  messengers  were  sent  with  information  to  the 
officer  of  the  day.  He  did  not,  however,  come  upon  the  ground 
until  8.30  A.  M.,  and  then  without  reinforcements.  He  then  at 
tempted  to  explain  the  movements  of  the  rebels  as  but  the  usual 
relieving  of  the  picket  force;  but,  while  he  was  speaking,  three 
regiments  moved  en  echelon  from  a  concealed  position,  immediately 
in  front  of  Maj.  Price's  men,  and  other  forces  of  the  enemy  began 
a  charge  upon  the  line,  both  to  his  right  and  left.  The  detachment 
upon  his  left  broke  at  the  onset  of  the  charge,  leaving  his  flank 
exposed.  Maj.  Price  succeeded  in  checking  about  two  hundred  of 
these  men  and  inducing  them  to  make  a  stand,  but  they  were  after 
ward  compelled  to  fall  back,  as  were  also  the  97th  P.  V.,  after  a 
gallant  and  successful  resistance  to  the  forces  directly  in  their  front, 
not,  however,  without  some  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  Maj.  Price 
was  struck  in  the  thigh,  by  a  spent  canister  shot,  and  disabled 
from  duty  several  for  days. 

On  May  23,  1864,  owing  to  the  disability  of  Lieut.  Col.  Penny- 
packer,  who  was  severely  wounded  in  the  charge  made  by  the  Regi 
ment,  on  the  20th,  to  regain  the  ground  lost  in  the  morning,  Maj. 
Price  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Regiment,  which  he  re 
tained  until  August  13  following.  On  May  28,  embarked  at  Ber 
muda  Landing,  James  River,  and,  on  the  30th,  joined  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  at  White  House,  Va.  He  commanded  the  Regiment 
in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  and  in  the  trenches,  from  June  4  to 
June  13,  when  the  forces  re-embarked  for  James  River. 

He  participated,  leading  the  Regiment  in  the  assault,  capturing 
the  enemy's  works  on  the  heights  near  Petersburg,  June  15,  1864, 
and  at  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  July  30,  1864. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  Maj.  Price  was  prostrated  by  an 
attack  of  low  nervous  fever  and  was  under  treatment,  at  the  Chesa 
peake  Hospital,  about  four  weeks. 


HENRY    W.  CARRUTHERS,  A.  A.  A.  GENERAL;    TENTH    CORPS.        437 

He  returned  to  his  Regiment,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  September 
11,  1864.  The  strength  of  the  Regiment  having  been  reduced  by 
losses,  and  by  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  enlisted  men, 
below  the  number  entitling  it  to  two  field  officers,  Maj.  Price  was 
compelled  to  be  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  expiration  of  his 
three  years'  term,  as  captain  of  Company  0,  97th  P.  V.,  which  oc 
curred  on  September  17,  1864.  He  returned  home,  on  September 
29,  after  a  continuous  absence  of  two  years  and  four  months. 

On  March  6,  1867,  Maj.  Price  was,  upon  the  recommendation  of 
Maj.  Gen.  Pennypacker,  bre vetted,  by  Gov.  Geary,  as  lieutenant 
colonel  and  colonel  U.  S.  Vols.,  to  date  from  September  18,  1864, 
for  "gallant  and  meritorious  service  during  the  war."  After  his 
return  from  the  field,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
locating  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Tli is  sketch  of  the  services  of  Col.  Price  can  be  fitly  closed  by 
quoting  the  following  words,  written  by  a  former  commanding 
officer  of  his  Regiment — now  an  officer  of  the  regular  army — to  a 
personal  friend,  in  1865:  "*  *  There  never  was,  or 

could  be,  an  officer  more  willing  and  anxious  to  hold  himself  up  to 
the  strict,  stern  and  varied  requirements  of  his  official  duty  than  is 
Maj.  Price.  With  him,  lofty  and  pure  patriotism,  and  a  desire  to 
do  everything  he  can  to  further  the  interest  of  the  public  service — 
regardless  of  what  consideration  he  is  to  receive,  and  as  to  whe 
ther  he  will  be  popular  with,  or  disliked  by,  those  around  him — 
are  the  grand  paramount  incentives.  I  will  be  more  than  pleased 
to  have  him  again  with  me  as  we  move  to  the  front  for  the  final 
struggle.  *  *  * " 

HENRY  W.  CARRUTHERS,  FIRST  LIEUTENANT  AND  ADJUTANT.  NINETY- 
SEVENTH  P.  V.;  A.  A.  A.  GENERAL,  FIRST  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVI 
SION,  TENTH  CORPS;  CAPTAIN  COMPANY  C,  NINETY-SEVENTH  P.  V. 

Henry  W.  Carruthers  was  born  at  Lawrence ville,  111.,  November 
5,  1835.  His  father,  George  W.  Carruthers,  was  a  promising  young 
lawyer  of  that  place,  who  died  while  Henry  was  a  child.  His 
mother,  Jemima  P.  Carruthers,  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  her 
native  State. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  her  son  Henry  was  put  apprentice 
to  his  uncle,  Hon.  Henry  S.  Evans,  editor  of  the  Village  Record, 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  to  learn  the  printing  business,  where  he  re- 


438 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


mained  until  he  attained  his  twenty-first  year,  becoming  an  excellent 
printer  and  an  efficient  assistant  in  conducting  the  business  of  the 
office. 

At  the  end  of  his  apprenticeship,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of 
law,  with  Joseph  Hemphill,  Esq.,  in  West  Chester,  and  was  ad 
mitted  to  the  bar  of  the  courts  of  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties, 
in  February,  1858.  He  'had  a  fine  education  and  a  graceful,  popu 
lar  style  of  oratory,  which  promised  usefulness  and  distinction  in 
his  profession.  He  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law  until  the 
spring  of  1861,  when,  the  rebellion  having  culminated  in  the  attack 
upon  Fort  Sumter,  he  joined  the  ardent  and  patriotic  young  men 
of  West  Chester  in  raising  troops  to  support  the  government.  He 
had  previously  become  a  citizen  soldier  as  a  member  of  Capt.  Henry 
R.  Guss'  company  of  National  Guards.  This  company  (which  was 
one  of  the  first  in  the  State  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  Governor 
for  troops  to  serve  in  the  national  defence)  was  accepted  into  the 
service,  at  Harrisburg,  and  attached  to  the  9th  Regiment  P.  V. 
In  this  regiment  he  served  as  a  private  during  the  three  months' 
campaign,  preferring  that  position  among  his  immediate  friends  ,to 
that  of  adjutant  in  another  (the  14th  Regiment),  which  position 
had  been  tendered  him  at  Harrisburg.  The  9th  Regiment  was  at 
tached  to  Gen.  Patterson's  command,  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland, 
and,  at  the  expiration  of  its  term  of  service,  was  discharged,  by 
order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  when  Private  Carruthers  returned 
with  his  company  to  W^est  Chester. 

Immediately  after  the  discharge  of  the  9th  Regiment,  Col.  Henry 
R.  Guss  received  authority,  from  Secretary  Cameron,  to  recruit  a 
regiment  for  the  three  years'  service.  H.  W.  Carruthers  entered 
with  spirit  into  co-operation  with  Col.  Guss  in  the  furtherance  of 
this  object.  Being  of  an  active,  energetic  and  enthusiastic  tempera 
ment — and  having  added  the  experience  of  three  months'  active  ser 
vice  in  the  field  to  a  proficiency  in  military  drill  and  tactics  ac 
quired  in  training  with  the  old  guards — he  was  eminently  fitted  to 
contribute  to  the  success  which  organized  and  sent  to  the  field  a 
regiment  that  was  destined  to  achieve  an  enviable  record  in  the 
history  of  the  war.  With  that  record,  the  name  of  Capt.  Henry 
W.  Carruthers  will  pass  to  future  generations  as  one  of  the  noble, 
patriot,  martyr  heroes  who  gave  their  lives  that  their  government 
might  not  perish. 

He  was  commissioned  1st  lieutenant  of  Company  C,  in  the  97th 


HENRY    W.  CARRUTHERS,  A.  A.  A.  GENERAL;    TENTH    CORPS.        439 

Regiment  P.  V.  and  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
on  September  11,  1861.  His  military  proficiency  contributed 
largely  to  the  rapid  organization  and  perfection  of  that  company  in 
the  discipline  requisite  to  prepare  it  for  active  sericve. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  on  Oc 
tober  29,  1861,  Lieut.  Carruthers  was  appointed  adjutant,  which 
position  he  held  until  near  the  end  of  the  period  of  service,  perform 
ing  the  duties  thereof  with  ability  and  fidelity  rarely  equalled.  He 
possessed  administrative  qualities  that  eminently  qualified  him  for 
his  post  and  rendered  his  services  invaluable  to  the  commander  of 
the  Regiment. 

In  the  performance  of  the  complicated  duties,  comprised  in  regi 
mental  reports,  returns,  etc.,  and  in  making  the  details  from  the 
roster,  for  the  varied  duties  of  the  command,  Adjt.  Carruthers  was 
ever  most  prompt,  efficient  and  correct. 

These  being  made  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  Revised  Army 
Regulations  did  not,  however,  always  prevent  a  perplexed  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general  sending  for  explanation  or  alteration.  The 
result  usually  demonstrated  that  the  non-conformity  was  nearer 
head-q'it'.rters. 

To  pursue  consecutively  the  record  of  the  services  of  this  officer 
would  extend  this  sketch  beyond  the  limit  allotted  it  in  the  State 
history.*  The  history  of  his  Regiment  will  be  recorded,  and  it  only 
need  be  written  here  that  he  was  always  present  in  action  when 
with  his  Regiment,  and,  if  possible,  near  his  Regiment  when  upon 
the  staff  of  its  brigade  commander.  In  the  first  engagement  in 
which  his  Regiment  saw  service  on  John  and  James  Islands,  S.  C., 
in  June,  1862,  Adjt.  Carruthers  gave  indication  of  those  qualities 
of  energy  and  self-possession  that  were  afterwards  such  distinguish 
ing  traits  in  his  military  career. 

In  August,  1862,  after  the  return  of  the  first  expedition  against 
Charleston,  to  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  appointed 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general  upon  the  staff  of  Col.  Guss,  then 
in  command  of  that  post.  He  subsequently  held  the  position  01 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general  upon  the  staff  of  Col.  Guss,  com 
manding  the  1st  brigade,  Gen.  Terry's  division,  in  the  second  cam 
paign  agiinst  Charleston,  in  April  and  May,  1863. 

Upon  the  occupation  of  Morris  Island,  in  July.  1863,  Col.  Guss 

*Tbis  sketch  was  originally  prepared  for  Prof.  S.  P.  Bate:*,  State  Historian. 


440  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  1st  brigade,  1st  division,  10th 
Corps,  and  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  again  appointed  acting  assistant 
adjutant  general,  and  continued  to  perform  the  duties  of  that  posi 
tion  during  the  siege  of  Fort  Wagner  and  until  the  forces  were  re 
lieved  after  the  fall  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg.  During  this  siege 
Adjt.  Carruthers  was  constantly  on  duty,  and  assisted  regularly  and 
faithfully  in  the  arduous  and  exposing  service  of  changing  the  relief 
on  duty  in  the  trenches,  whenever  details  were  made  from  his  brigade. 
To  appreciate  fully  this  service,  it  is  necessary  to  have  realized  the 
responsibilities  of  an  officer  in  charge  of  the  trenches  during  a  siege, 
such  as  that  of  Fort  Wagner,  Port  Hudson  or  Vicksburg. 

At  Fernandina,  Fla.,  October  6,  1863,  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  was  com 
mandant  of  that  post,  and  appointed  Adjt.  Carruthers  post  adjutant 
and  acting  assistant  inspector  general,  which  duties  he  performed 
with  marked  ability. 

At  that  post,  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  twice  detailed  as  the  judge 
advocate  of  a  general  court-martial,  of  which  Maj.  G.  Pennypacker 
was  president.  To  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  he  brought  rare  legal 
qualifications;  having  charge  of  the  conflicting  interests  of  both  the 
court  and  the  prisoners  arraigned  for  trial,  conducting  the  cases 
with  a  justice  and  impartiality  commensurate  with  the  serious  nature 
of  the  charges  preferred. 

About  March  31,  1864,  he  returned  home  with  Col.  Guss  and  the 
re-enlisted  men  of  the  Regiment,  who  received  furloughs  of  thirty 
days.  At  the  expiration  of  the  furlough  he  rejoined  the  Regiment, 
then  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  with  the  men  in  charge,  and  upon 
Col.  Guss  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  1st  brigade,  3d 
division,  10th  Corps,  Adjt.  Carruthers  was  again  appointed  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general  and  performed  the  duties  of  that  office 
until  Col.  Guss  left  the  service,  in  June,  1864,  when  he  rejoined  his 
Regiment,  having  served  with  distinction  in  the  operations  under 
Gen.  Butler,  from  May  16  to  June  2,  1864. 

He  continued  with  the  Regiment  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  four  times  declining  the  appointment  tendered  him  of  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general  upon  the  staff  of  Col.  Louis  Bell,  then 
in  command  of  the  1st  brigade,  3d  division,  10th  Corps. 

On  June  6,  1864,  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  he  received  his  com 
mission  as  captain  of  Company  C,  97th  P.  V.,  Capt.  Price  having 
been  commissioned  as  major  of  the  Regiment  upon  the  same  date, 
April  3,  1864.  Both  these  officers  were,  however,  prevented  from 


HENRY    W.  CARRUTHERS,  A.  A.  A.  GENERAL;    TENTH    CORPS.       441 

l>eing  mustered  in  their  advanced  grades,  owing  to  the  absence  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Pennypacker,  on  account  of  wounds. 

In  the  advance  upon  Petersburg  Heights,  Va.,  on  June  15,  1864, 
and  the  subsequent  operations  in  front  of  the  enemy's  intrenched 
lines,  the  co-operation  of  Capt.  Carruthers  (who  continued  to  per 
form  the  duties  of  adjutant)  was  invaluable  to  the  commander  of 
the  Regiment.  The  real  worth  and  the  services  of  such  an  officer 
could  only  be  known  and  appreciated  by  one  whose  good  fortune  it 
was  to  have  his  aid  throughout  a  campaign  such  as  that  in  Virginia, 
from  May  to  October,  1864.  The  casualties  of  the  service  had  left 
the  writer  of  this  memoir  in  command  of  the  Regiment  with  no 
other  field  officer  present  to  share  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of 
the  command.  During  this  period  of  arduous  service  in  the  trenches 
he  was  always  at  his  post,  and  by  his  promptitude1  and  efficiency  did 
very  much  to  secure  success.  There  was  no  duty,  no  responsibility, 
no  danger  to  be  met,  which  his  cool  thought  and  counsel  did  not 
render  less  difficult. 

For  over  four  months  sharing  the  same  shelter  in  bivouac,  never 
separated  for  half  an  hour,  day  or  night,  often  without  laying  aside 
either  clothing  or  accoutrements,  required  to  be  ready  for  instant 
service,  the  night  attack  has  been  met  at  the  moment  of  being 
aroused  from  sleep.  He  was  never  missed  from  his  place,  for  the 
whole  aim  of  his  life  seemed  to  centre  in  being  found  at  his  post 
when  duty  called. 

It  could  not  be  otherwise  than  that  such  an  officer  must  come  to 
be  cherished,  also,  as  the  companion  and  friend.  Having  a  mind 
well  stored  with  the  fruits  of  patient  study  and  culture,  with  tastes 
refined,  an  unsullied  honor,  a  genial  heart  and  exuberant  nature, 
there  was  a  charm  in  his  society  and  a  buoyancy  in  the  lively  wit, 
that  sometimes  sparkled  in  his  conversation,  rendering  the  close 
companionship  of  camp  life  most  pleasant  and  welcome,  cheering 
the  path  of  duty  with  bright,  happy  hours  that  will  long  live  in 
the  memory  of  those  who  survive  that  eventful  period.  This  tribute 
to  his  faithful  services,  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  is  felt  to  be  but 
a  faint  testimonial  to  his  co-operation  and  efficient  aid,  through  the 
toils  of  the  campaign,  which  his  faithfulness  as  an  officer,  and  his 
companionship  as  a  friend  and  co-laborer,  did  so  much  to  lighten 
and  to  relieve. 

The  14th  of  August,  1864,  terminated  this  intimate  and  harmo 
nious  companionship  and  co-operation  in  the  cause  of  our  country. 


442  HISTORY    OF   THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Col.  Pennypacker  (now  brevet  major  general  U.  S.  Army),  having 
recovered  from  his  wounds  (received  on  May  20,  1864),  resumed 
command  of  the  Regiment.  An  illness  (for  some  time  impending) 
then  sent  the  writer  to  the  U.  S.  General  Hospital,  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va. 

The  Regiment  was  engaged  in  action,  at  Deep  Bottom  and  Mal- 
vern  Hill,  August  14  and  15;  and,  on  the  16th,  at  Strawberry 
Plains,  Va.  In  this  action,  Capt.  Carruthers  was  mortally  wounded 
by  a  Minie  ball  passing  through  the  upper  lumbar  vertebra?,  sever 
ing  the  spinal  cord.  He  was  borne  off  the  field  by  his  comrades, 
and  was  sent  to  the  Chesapeake  Hospital,  at  Fortress  Monroe.  He 
received  every  attention  that  the  best  medical  and  surgical  skill 
could  devise,  but  all  was  in  vain,  the  fatal  shaft  had  sped,  and  his 
life  must  ebb  away.  He  died,  on  August  22,  1864,  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  in  the  twenty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 

The  sad  intelligence  reached  the  writer,  in  another  ward  of  the 
hospital,  telling  that  the  friend,  companion  and  coadjutor  of  those 
months  of  toil  and  danger  was  now  lying  wounded  near  and  must 
die;  and  when  the  application  to  be  carried  to  see  him  could  not 
be  granted,  for  fear  of  danger  to  both,  it  was  indeed  realized  how 
stern  were  the  vicissitudes  of  a  soldier's  fate !  The  denial  must  be 
patiently  borne,  even  as  lie,  whose  spirit  was  passing  away,  was 
bravely  and  patiently  meeting  the  en,d,  as  he  had  always  met  every 
duty  in  life ;  with  a  calm  trust  and  confidence  in  God,  who  regardcth 
integrity  of  purpose  in  the  heart  and  giveth  unto  it  his  enduring 
peace. 

Young  and  gifted,  with  the  brightness  and  joy  of  life  yet  before 
him  untasted,  he  obeyed  the  call  of  his  country  and  devoted  his 
life  to  the  path  of  duty,  which  he  most  nobly  and  faithfully  followed 
through  those  eventful  years  until,  at  his  post, 

"  He  has  fallen  with  his  armor  on, 
And  his  last  breath  crying  onward!'' 

But  the  brightness  and  the  joy  of  his  young  life  are  not  lost!  nor 
is  the  sacrifice  in  vain !  for  the  reward  of  the  faithful  and  the  pure 
in  heart  are  his  forever,  and  his  name  is  registered  on  the  Roll  of 
Honor,  immortal  with  the  history  and  glory  of  the  country  his  life 
was  freely  given  to  save. 

The  following  resolutions,  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  Bar  of 
Chester  County,  are  appended  as  a  most  fitting  tribute  to  the  worth 


JO-HN  R.EVERHART 


Surgeon  97 


JOHN  R.  EVERHART,  SURGEON;    BREVET  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL.     443 

and  characteV  of  Capt.  Carruthers  from  his  brother  members  of  the 
legal  profession : 

At  a  mooting  of  the  Bar,  held  at  the  office  of  Joseph  Hemphill,  Esq.,  August 
25,  18(54,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  relative  to  the  death  of  ('apt. 
Henry  W.  Carruthers,  were  adopted: 

We  have  received  the  sad  announcement  of  the  death  of  ('apt.  Henry  W. 
Carruthers,  Adjutant  of  the  97th  Regiment,  I*.  V.  and  a  member  of  this  Bur 
Therefore,  as  a  brief  expression  of  our  sorrow,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  our  dear  friend  and  brother,  we  feel  that  one  of 
the  best  and  most  promising  of  our  circle  has  been  taken  from  us — one  who 
generously  gave  up  his  young  life — so  full  of  vigor  and  hope  in  defence  of  his 
country. 

The  industry  with  which  he  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  for  the  Bar — the 
energy  with  which  he  applied  himself  to  the  duties  of  his  profession — his  ho 
norable  bearing — the  courteous,  the  kind  and  gentle  spirit  which  always  graced 
his  intercourse  with  us — his  loyalty — his  patriotism — his  humanity — his  courage 
— and  finally  his  heroic  death,  make  his  brave  and  beautiful  life  precious  to  all 
his  friends  and  brethren. 

In  the  manner  of  his  death  we  are  reminded  that  he  is  the  fifth  martyr  from  our 
»midst — and  we  fondly  associate  his  name  with  the  honored  names  of  Bell,  Ro 
berts,  Mclntire  and  Nields — and  will  keep  them  all  in  affectionate  remembrance. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Bar,  in  a  body,  attend  the  funeral  of  the 
deceased.  9 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolution  be  furnished  to  the  family  of  the  de 
ceased,  and  that  they  be  published  in  the  newspapers  of  the  Borough. 

Jos.    HEMPHILL,  Chairman. 

WILLIAM  T.  HAINES,  Secretary. 

JOHN   R.  EVERHART,  SURGEON   NINETY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT    PENN 
SYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS;  BREVET  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  U.  S.  VOLS. 

Dr.  John  Rospell  Everhart  comes  of  Revolutionary  stock,  botli 
of  his  grandfathers  having  been  soldiers  in  Washington's  Army. 
His  father,  the  late  Hon.  William  Everhart,  was  captain  of  a  vo 
lunteer  rifle  company,  which  he  raised  to  serve  in  the  last  war  with 
England.  He  was  a  prominent  merchant  for  fifty  years,  well  known 
in  the  American  and  some  of  the  European  cities  as  a  man  of  busi 
ness  capacity  and  credit. 

In  early  life,  going  to  Europe  to  facilitate  arrangements  for  im 
porting  merchandise,  he  was  wrecked,  in  the  Albion  packet  ship, 
near  Old  Kingsale  Head,  on  the  coast  of  Ireland,  a  disaster  long 
memorable  for  the  total  loss  of  the  vessel  and  almost  all  on  board, 
the  other  cabin  passengers  and  nearly  all  the  crew  having  perished 
in  the  waves. 


444  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

i 

Settling  in  West  Chester,  Pa.,  he  gave  the  first  impulse  to  the 
improvement  of  that  ancient  borough  by  purchasing  an  adjoining 
farm  and  laying  it  out  in  squares  and  streets,  advantageously  for 
opening  building  lots. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  struggle,  he  satis 
factorily  represented  the  Chester  and  Delaware  District  in  the  Na 
tional  Congress. 

Dr.  Everhart  was  born  in  West  Chester,  in  1828,  received  his 
early  education  at  the  old  academy  and  graduated  at  Princeton 
College,  N.  J.,  in  1850.  He  then  entered  upon  the  study  of  medi 
cine  and,  three  years  later,  received  a  physician's  diploma  from  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  soon  afterward  went  to  Paris  in 
order  to  further  prosecute  his  studies  in  medicine  and  surgery,  under 
the  most  eminent  professors  of  that  city.  Returning  home  he  ac 
quired  an  excellent  practice. 

About  1859,  when  the  Asiatic  cholera  broke  out  in  the  Chester 
County  Almshouse,  assuming  a  very  malignant  type,  he  visited  the. 
sick  and  tendered  his  aid  to  the  attending  physician.  He  was  un 
usually  fortunate  in  many  surgical  cases,  and  performed  one  of  the 
first  successful  operations  for  cataract  in  Chester  County. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  rebellion,  he  received  from  the 
State  Board  of  Medical  Examiners  the  appointment  of  surgeon  and 
was  assigned  to  the  97th  P.  V.  His  first  duty  in  this  capacity  was 
the  examination  and  medical  inspection  of  the  men  enlisted  for  that 
Regiment.  To  his  care,  in  this  respect,  was  due  the  high  physical 
standard  of  the  men  accepted  and  passed  for  muster  in  the  different 
companies. 

During  the  three  and  a  half  years  of  service,  he  earned  the  ap 
probation  of  both  officers  and  men,  through  his  diligence,  skill 
and  courage,  in  attending  the  wounded  on  the  field  and  the  sick  in 
hospitals,  especially  during  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  among 
the  troops,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  in  1862,  when,  owing  to  his  care 
and  skill  in  treatment  and  prompt  and  efficient  sanitary  regu 
lations,  the  disease  was  quickly  subdued  within  the  limits  of  his 
command. 

At  that  post,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Medi 
cal  Examiners  for  the  Department  of  the  South,  by  Maj.  Gen. 
Hunter.  He  also  served  for  a  considerable  time  as  brigade  sur 
geon  upon  the  staff  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  both  in  1863  and  1864. 

At  Fernandina,  Fla.,  in  October,  1863,  he  was  appointed  post 


JOHN  R.  EVERHART,  SURGEON;    BREVET  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL.    445 

sugeon.  His  organization  of  that  department  of  the  service  was 
most  efficient  and  complete,  securing  every  convenience,  comfort 
and  attention  for  the  inmates  of  the  post  hospital,  which  also  in 
cluded  the  custody  and  care  of  the  sick  prisoners,  under  sentence 
of  court-martial  in  the  Department  of  the  South. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  an  official  visit  of  inspection  by  Lieut.  Cols. 
Michael  R.  Morgan  and  R.  H.  Jackson,  the  former  commissary  of 
subsistence  and  the  latter  inspector  general  of  the  department,  the 
sanitary  condition  of  the  hospital  was  pronounced  by  them  as  the 
best  of  any  they  had  inspected  in  the  department.  They  compli 
mented  Dr.  Everhart  very  highly  for  his  admirable  management  and 
success  in  bringing  his  department  into  such  order  and  excellent 
condition ;  a  compliment  most  justly  deserved.  No  surgeon  in  the 
service  could  be  more  devoted  in  personal  attention  to  the  duties 
entrusted  to  his  charge,  nor  more  faithful  in  attention  to  the  men, 
most  especially  on  the  field  in  action,  where  he  was  always  found  at 
his  post,  and  well  up  to  the  front,  so  as  to  be  on  hand,  that  when 
any  of  the  men  fell  they  could  receive  immediate  attention.  It  was 
always  feared  that  in  looking  after  the  wounded  he  was  too  regard 
less  of  his  own  safety. 

Dr.  Everhart  served  continuously  in  the  field  from  the  time  the 
Regiment  left  Camp  Wayne,  November  16,  1861,  until  February 
24,  1864,  when  he  received  a  short  leave  of  absence  and  returned 
home.  He  was  again  at  his  post  on  March  17,  having  occupied 
twenty  days  in  making  the  trip,  from  Fernandina,  Fla.,  to  West 
Chester,  and  return  at  a  time  when  no  important  operations  were 
going  on. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  by  Gen.  B.  F. 
Butler,  in  May,  1864,  Dr.  Everhart  was  appointed  brigade  surgeon, 
1st  brigade,  3d  division,  l()th  Corps,  in  which  capacity  he  continued 
to  serve  during  the  campaigns  of  that  army,  participating  in  most  of 
the  important  operations  of  Grant's  forces,  before  Richmond  and 
Petersburg,  Va.  His  services  were  always  recognized  as  most  effi 
cient  and  faithful,  as  well  by  his  medical  and  surgical  coadjutors  as 
by  the  men  whose  fortune  it  was  to  receive  his  professional  attention 
and  considerate  treatment,  He  continued  upon  duty  after  the  expi 
ration  of  the  three  years'  term,  until  the  close  of  active  operations 
north  of  the  James  River,  and  was  then  mustered  out  of  service,  at 
Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  November  12,  1864,  having  served  three  years 
and  three  months.  He  subsequently  received  brevet  promotion, 


446  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

from  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin,  to  rank  as  lieutenant  colonel  from  October 
31,  1864. 

During  the  summer  of  1872,  he  visited  Europe,  in  company  with 
Maj.  Gen.  G.  Pennypacker,  and  together  they  traveled  extensively 
through  Great  Britain  and  upon  the  continent. 

GEORGE   W.   HAWKINS,   CAPTAIN    COMPANY    I,    NINETY -SEVENTH 
REGIMENT  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS;  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL. 

George  W.  Hawkins*  was  born  in  Chester,  Delaware  County,  Pa., 
November  18,  1827.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Hawkins,  a  pro 
minent  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  same  county,  who  served 
as  a  lieutenant  of  infantry  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  remained  con 
nected  with  the  army  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  patriotic 
element  of  his  character  was  largely  inherited  by  his  son.  When 
quite  a  youth,  the  latter  displayed  those  deep  and  true  feelings  of 
patriotic  zeal  which  characterized  his  after  life.  The  down-trodden 
and  oppressed  of  every  nation  and  every  color  found  in  him  a  truly 
sympathizing  friend.  The  voice  of  liberty  in  every  clime  found  a 
response  in  his  unselfish  heart. 

At  the  time  of  the  Crimean  war,  although  quite  young,  he  en 
countered  a  conflict  of  feeling,  between  the  impulses  of  his  enthu 
siastic  nature  on  the  one  hand,  while  on  the  other  were  the  demands 
of  duty  to  home  and  friends  which  bound  him  to  his  native  land. 
But  when  the  trump  of  war  sounded  within  the  borders  of  his  own 
nation,  love  of  country,  that  high  and  holy  sentiment  which  stirs 
every  true  man's  soul,  predominated  over  every  other  consideration. 
Although  his  life  had  become  enshrined  in  a  home  with  wife  and 
children,  held  in  deep  and  pure  affection;  repressing  the  promptings 
of  these  ties,  at  the  call  of  his  country,  he  rallied  beneath  the  folds 
of  her  flag  to  lend  his  aid  to  preserve  it  from  dishonor  at  the  hands 
of  traitors. 

On  April  25,  1861,  he  enrolled  his  name  as  a  private  in  the 
Washington  Grays,  of  Philadelphia,  Capt.  Thomas  P.  Parry,  which 
became  Company  A  in  the  17th  P.  V.,  commanded  by  Col.  Francis 
E.  Patterson.  The  regiment  served  during  the  three  months'  cam 
paign,  under  Maj.  Gen.  Robert  Patterson's  command,  in  Maryland 
and  Virginia  and  the  border  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 

*  Revised  from  a  biographical  sketch  prepared  by  his  wife. 


GEORGE    \V.  HAWKINS,  CAPTAIN    COMPANY    I.  447 

This  term  of  service  was  marked  by  no  particular  incident.  At 
its  expiration,  he  received  his  discharge,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  August 
2,  1861,  and  returned  home,  having  served  with  credit  with  his  com 
pany  and  Regiment. 

From  childhood,  he  had  been  a  dee])  thinker  and  an  attentive 
reader;  admiration  for  military  history  and  characters  led  him  to 
study  these  with  interest,  thus  becoming  familiar  with  ideas  of  a 
soldier's  life.  Actual  service  tended  to  develop  that  taste  into  an 
ardor  which  found  full  opportunity  for  exercise  in  the  service. 

The  rule  with  him  was  to  make  an  object  of  whatever  he  under 
took.  During  the  three  months'  service  in  the  field,  he  had  directed 
his  attention  to  the  study  of  military  tactics,  theoretically  and  prac 
tically.  This  soon  qualified  him  for  position  as  an  officer.  Feeling 
that  his  country  still  claimed  his  services,  he  devoted  himself  to  the 
work  of  raising  a  company. 

Notwithstanding  his  earnestness,  he  foimd  recruiting  to  be  no 
easy  work,  but  his  zeal  never  flagged.  With  his  accustomed  perse 
verance  and  industry,  he  worked  on  until  his  aim  was  accomplished 
and  the  organization  of  his  company  on  the  way  to  success.  It  was 
attached  to  the  97th  Regiment,  as  Company  I,  in  October,  1861. 
The  Regiment  was  ordered  to  the  field  at  the  opening  of  winter. 
When  it  would  seem  that  their  homes  were  the  most  attractive,  the 
soldiers  must  leave  them  for  the  hard  realities  of  war. 

With  his  peculiar  adaptation,  both  mentally  and  physically,  for 
the  life  he  had  chosen,  Capt.  Hawkins  braced  himself  against  all 
inward  struggles  in  preparation  for  the  service  which  perhaps  would 
require  his  life  in  sacrifice.  The  duty  in  the  Department  of  the 
South,  to  which  the  Regiment  was  assigned,  proved  a  severe  tax 
upon  northern  men;  its  effects  began  to  tell  upon  him  with  many 
others  of  the  Regiment.  But  he  held  out  against  every  adverse  in 
fluence,  feeling  that  his  place  was  there,  and  he  dare  not  flinch. 
He  shared  cheerfully  in  all  the  duties  which  fell  to  the  lot  of  the 
Regiment,  participating  in  all  its  engagements,  in  some  instances 
occupying  positions  of  importance  with  his  company  at  the  front. 

His  discernment  of  character  and  political  events  was  strikingly 
clear  and  correct.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  in  September,  1862,  just 
after  the  arrival  of  Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchel,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  to 
take  command  of  the  Department  of  the  South,  Capt.  Hawkins 
says:  "Within  a  few  weeks  the  command  of  this  Department 
has  been  transferred  to  Maj.  Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchel.  He  has  already 


448  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  both  officers  and  men  by  his 
soldierly  bearing,  his  intense  interest,  his  gentle  firmness,  and  his 
clear  judgment.  We  see  in  him  the  "coming  man,"  a  leader  who 
will  achieve  something  worthy  of  renown." 

He  read  his  noble  general's  qualities  correctly,  but  his  early  death 
he  could  as  little  foresee  as  his  own.  Had  Gen.  Mitchel's  valuable 
life  been  spared,  who  can  tell  what  results  might  have  followed  from 
his  well-directed  efforts. 

In  October,  1862,  Capt,  Hawkins  was  detailed  upon  recruiting 
service  and  ordered  to  return  to  Pennsylvania.  This  was  a  happy 
and  unexpected  change,  affording  him  an  opportunity  of  once  again 
meeting  the  dear  ones  at  home,  although  a  cloud  had  passed  over 
that  home  during  his  absence.  The  family  circle  had  been  broken, 
the  brightest  and  thriftiest  bud  had  been  nipped,  by  the  frost  of 
death,  and  the  little  mound  in  the  cemetery  was  all  that  was  left 
him  of  the  happy  rosy  child  he  had  treasured. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  he  returned  to  South  Carolina,  where  the 
Regiment  was  still  upon  duty. 

On  the  evening  of  July  18,  1863,  during  the  assault  upon  Fort 
Wagner,  Capt.  Hawkins  was  placed  in  temporary  command  of 
Company  H,  which,  with  Companies  A  and  F,  under  command  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Duer,  were  ordered  to  the  front  after  the  repulse  of  our 
forces.  Those  companies  held  the  line  close  to  the  walls  of  the  fort, 
during  the  entire  night  and  the  following  day,  until  relieved  after 
dark.  The  position  was  one  of  great  importance  and  danger. 

His  earnest  devotion  to  duty  rendered  him  peculiarly  fitted  for 
the  most  active  service — he  was  courageous  to  a  fault  and  shrank 
from  no  responsibility  or  danger ;  no  task  was  too  arduous,  no  sacri 
fice  too  great.  The  duties  were  incessant  during  the  summer  and 
the  climate  extremely  trying  to  the  health  of  the  men. 

In  October,  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Florida  for  the  winter. 
By  spring  the  condition  of  health  was  much  improved.  A  portion 
of  the  Regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  Thirty-eight  men  of  Com 
pany  I  consented  to  do  so  upon  condition  of  Capt.  Hawkins  remain 
ing  with  them.  This  was  unmistakable  evidence  of  their  apprecia 
tion  of  him  as  a  leader. 

The  heavy  re-enlistment  in  his  company  cheered  him  with  the 
hope  of  again  seeing  his  home  and  friends;  but,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  other  officers  of  the  Regiment  not  having  had  an  opportunity 
of  visiting  their  homes  since  entering  the  service,  his  anticipation 


GEORGE   W.  HAWKINS,  CAPTAIN   COMPANY    I.  449 

was  prevented  from  being  realized.  He  was  never  again  permitted 
to  look  upon  the  faces  of  those  he  loved  so  deeply. 

In  April,  1864,  orders  came  to  embark  for  the  north,  to  join  the 
Army  of  the  James,  then  being  organized  at  Gloucester  Point,  Va. 
This  he  regarded  as  an  unfortunate  move  for  the  Regiment,  and 
time  proved  it  sadly.  The  mere  fragment  of  officers  and  men  who 
survived  that  campaign  attest  how  correct  were  his  conjectures. 

With  the  exception  of  a  short  time,  previous  to  the  expiration  of 
his  term  cf  service,  Capt.  Hawkins  participated  in  all  the  marches 
and  engagements  before  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  at  Swift  Creek, 
Drury's  Bluff,  Green  Plains,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg  Heights, 
Strawberry  Plains  and  Deep  Bottom,  Va. 

At  Wier  Bottom  Church,  on  August  25,  he  commanded  a  detach 
ment  of  the  Regiment  and  was  ordered  to  advance  and  re-establish 

o 

the  line  at  a  point  where  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  breaking  it. 
This  he  did  with  a  promptness  and  success  that  received  the  com 
mendation  of  those  who  witnessed  the  movement.  Through  all 
these  engagements  he  was  carried  in  safety,  until  the  day  of  the  ex 
piration  of  his  term  of  service  and  upon  which  he  was  to  have  been 
mustered  out,  October  27,  1864.  The  forces  were  about  to  move 
upon  the  enemy  on  that  morning,  at  Darby  Town,  Va.  Upon  re 
ceiving  information  of  this  he  claimed  the  opportunity  of  leading 
the  Regiment  into  action,  though  apprized  by  his  brigade  com 
mander  of  his  privilege  of  exemption  from  duty  as  his  term  had  ex 
pired.  Being  the  senior  officer  present,  he  determined  to  lead  the 
Regiment  in  action  and  assumed  the  command.  The  enemy  were 
encountered  at  Darby  Town,  where  a  severe  engagement  ensued, 
in  which  the  gallant  Ninety-Seventh  Regiment  again  distinguished 
itself,  in  an  impetuous  charge  upon  the  enemy's  works,  where 
Capt.  Hawkins  fell,  severely  wounded  in  the  leg.  After  being 
removed  from  the  field,  amputation  was  performed  at  the  field  hos 
pital,  but  he  died  soon  after  the  operation,  on  the  morning  of  the 
28th.  He  was  immediately  buried,  near  the  battle  field,  before 
it  was  known  by  any  of  the  Regiment  that  he  had  died.  Qr.  Mr. 
Jones,  upon  making  inquiry  at  the  hospital,  on  that  morning,  as  to 
his  condition  and  if  he  could  see  him,  was  astonished  to  hear  that 
he  was  dead  and  buried.  He  had  the  body  disinterred  at  once, 
embalmed  and  sent  home  to  his  family. 

His  funeral  from  his  father's  residence,  in  West  Philadelphia,  on 
November   7,   1864,  was   attended   by   many  friends   who   deeply 
29 


450  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

sympathized  with  his  bereaved  family.  A  number  of  the  members 
of  his  Regiment  were  also  present.  His  remains  were  laid  in  Mount 
Moriah  Cemetery,  in  his  native  county. 

Upon  receiving  information!  of  his  death,  Gov.  Curtin  immediately 
issued  a  commission  as  lieutenant  colonel,  and  forwarded  it  to  his 
family  in  recognition  of  the  services  which  had  cost  his  life.  A 
well-merited  tribute,  no  doubt,  but  of  how  little  avail  for  the  healing 
of  their  grief. 

Of  Lieut.  Col.  Hawkins  it  might  with  much  truth  be  said  that  his 
devoted  patriotism  and  unflinching  bravery  as  a  soldier,  his  high- 
toned  principles  and  dignity  of  purpose  as  a  man  and  a  citizen,  ren 
dered  his  character  such  as  society  most  needs.  It  was  just  such 
citizens  that,  as  soldiers  of  the  Republic,  were  required  to  expiate 
the  sin  of  the  nation. 

When  the  clouds  of  anxiety  and  painful  suspense  which  long  had 
weighed  so  heavily  upon  many  hearts  all  over  the  land,  had  well 
nigh  scattered  from  about  his  home,  and  the  star  of  expectation  had 
almost  reached  its  zenith,  there  came  the  woeful  message  that  was 
to  crush  the  loving  hearts  of  his  dear  ones  beyond  a  healing, 
wrecking  every  promise  and  hope  of  earthly  happiness  forever. 

What  pen  can  describe  the  soul-saddening  grief  nigh  unto  despair 
sent  by  such  agonizing  death  messages  into  thousands  of  once  happy 
hearts  and  bright  expectant  home  firesides,  by  this  relentness,  cruel 
rebellion. 

The  following  notice  of  the  death  of  Lieut.  Col.  Hawkins,  from 
the  Delaware  County  Republican,  is  selected  from  several  others : 

DEATH  OF  A  BRAVE  SOLDIER. — Capt.  George  W.  Hawkins,  of  Company  I,  97th 
Regiment,  P.  V.,  was  mortally  wounded  on  the  27th  ult.,  in  an  engagement  with 
the  enemy,  near  Chapin's  Farm,  Va. ,  while  in  command  of  the  Regiment,  and 
died  the  same  evening  at  the  10th  Corps  Field  Hospital.  Capt.  Hawkins  was  the 
son  of  John  Hawkins,  of  Upper  Darby,  and  is  the  second  son  killed  during  the 
rebellion.  He  entered  the  97th  Regiment  three  years  ago,  after  serving  with  the 
three  months'  men,  and  would  have  been  mustered  out  of  service  the  day  after 
his  death.  He  was  in  the  battles  at  Morris  Island,  Drury's  Bluff,  Petersburg, 
Strawberry  Plains,  Cold  Harbor,  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  in  all  the  different 
skirmishes  and  engagements  in  Virginia  in  which  his  Regiment  participated 
while  he  was  attached  to  the  army.  On  every  occasion  he  displayed  great 
courage,  and  was  always  at  the  head  of  his  company  in  battle  and  in  skirmish. 
But  few  men  better  understood  this  terrible  war.  He  saw  and  felt  the  necessity 
of  subjugating  the  enemy,  and  was  anxious  to  employ  every  means  at  the  dis 
posal  of  the  Government  to  that  end.  He  laid  down  his  life  for  his  country  at 
the  age  of  thirty-seven  years.  His  remains  were  taken  to  his  parents'  residence, 
from  whence  they  were  interred. 


JOHN   WAINWRIGHT,  COLONEL.  451 

Lieut.  Col.  Hawkins  left  a  wife  between  whom  and  himself  a  pe 
culiarly  tender  attachment  existed,  whose  naturally  delicate  consti 
tution,  severely  shattered  by  her  bereavement,  has  had  to  encounter 
alone  the  cares  and  anxieties  attendant  upon  the  necessity  to  pro 
vide  for  the  maintenance  and  education  of  their  four  orphaned 
children,  two  boys  and  two  girls,  the  eldest  at  the  time  of  their 
father's  death  just  old  enough  to  remember  him  when  he  left  them 
to  go  to  the  war,  and  to  anticipate,  with  all  the  joyousness  of 
childish  affection;  the  return  and  the  fond  embrace  of  a  father's  love 
that  was  destined  to  meet  such  bitter  disappointment.  These  now 
mourn  their  loss  in  sad  sacrifice  of  life's  best  hope.  Yet  with  beau 
tiful  resignation  and  patience  they  strive  to  prove  brave  and  faithful 
to  every  duty — worthy  wife  and  children  of  the  patriot  husband 
and  father. 

JOHN  WAINWRIGHT,  COLONEL  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PENNSYL 
VANIA  VOLUNTEERS. 

John  Wainwright  was  the  son  of  Samuel  F.  Wainwright,  a  native 
of  Railway,  N.  J.,  but  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  his  son,  July  13, 
1839,  a  resident  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Maria  Humphrey. 

While  their  son  was  quite  young,  they  returned  to  Rahway,  for 
a  short  time,  and  from  thence  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York, 
where  John  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools. 

In  1863,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Delaware,  where  he 
learned  coach  and  ornamental  painting. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  he  was  engaged  at  his  oc 
cupation  at  West  Chester,  Pa.  He  was  among  the  first  to  respond 
to  the  call  for  volunteers,  and  enlisted  April  18,  1861,  as  a  private  in 
Company  G  (Capt.  B.  H.  Sweeney),  2d  P.  V.,  for  the  three  months' 
service.  His  regiment  served  with  Gen.  Patterson's  command  in 
Maryland,  principally  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Martinsburg, 
Charlestown,  Harper's  Ferry  and  vicinity.  At  the  expiration  of 
this  term  of  service  he  was  honorably  discharged,  with  his  company, 
at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  July  26,  1861. 

On  September  23,  1861,  he  re-entered  the  service  in  Company  F, 
97th  P.  V.,  for  three  years;  was  appointed,  by  Capt.  Lewis,  1st 
sergeant  of  the  company,  same  date;  assigned  to  duty  at  Camp 
Wayne,  to  drill  and  instruct  the  recruits  for  the  company,  and  thus 


452  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

rendered  valuable  aid  in  perfecting  the  efficiency  of  the  men  while 
at  that  place.  He  was  promoted  to  2d  lieutenant  of  Company  F, 
January  10,  1862,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.;  was  wounded  on  the  night 
of  June  12,  1862,  while  on  picket,  on  James  Island,  8.  C.,  by  a 
musket  shot  through  the  right  thigh,  and  was  disabled  in  regimental 
hospital  for  several  weeks,  under  the  care  of  Surgeon  Everhart,  to 
whose  faithful  attention  his  rapid  recovery  was  mainly  owing. 

Promoted  to  1st  lieutenant,  March  1,  1863,  at  St.  Helena  Island, 
S.  C.,  detailed  acting  adjutant  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  by  Special  Order 
No.  10.  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  May  10,  1863,  and  was  relieved 
by  Special  Order  No.  17,  at  the  same  place,  June  11,  1863;  was  as 
signed  temporarily  to  command  of  Company  H,  by  Special  Order 
No.  20,  at  Seabrook  Island,  July  4,  1863,  and  was  relieved  by  Spe 
cial  Order  No.  25,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  September  7,  1863,  and 
directed  to  take  command  of  Company  F,  in  the  absence  of  Capt. 
Lewis  on  detached  service;  participated  in  all  the  siege  opera 
tions  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg. 

He  retained  command  of  Company  F  until  November  5,  1863. 
He  was  assigned  to  command  of  Company  I  by  Special  Order  No. 
3,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  February  25,  1864;  relieved  and  returned  to 
duty  with  Company  F,  by  Par.  I,  Special  Order  No.  5,  March  4, 
1864;  received  furlough  of  thirty  days  to  return  home  with  veterans 
of  the  Regiment,  and  left  Fernandina,  March  27,  1864. 

While  at  home  on  furlough,  he  was  married,  on  April  18,  1864, 
to  Miss  Emma  M.  Edwards,  of  Coatesville,  Pa. 

He  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Foster's  Place,  Va.,  May  14,  1864, 
and  was  assigned  to  command  of  Company  E,  by  Par.  II,  Special 
Order  No.  20,  May  17,  1864;  was  relieved  from  command  of  Com 
pany  E  and  assigned  to  command  of  Company  F,  by  Par.  Ill,  Spe 
cial  Order  No.  — ,  at  White  House,  Va.,  June  13,  1864.  About 
August  26,  1864,  he  was  temporarily  in  command  of  the  Regiment 
for  a  short  time,  as  senior  officer  present  during  the  absence  of  Maj. 
Price  in  U.  S.  Hospital;  was  again  detailed  as  acting  adjutant  of 
the  Regiment  from  September  14  to  October  28,  1864;  he  then  as 
sumed  command  of  the  Regiment  as  senior  officer  present  for  duty, 
and  retained  the  command  except  for  a  short  interval  during  the 
remainder  of  the  war;  was  commissioned  captain  of  Company  F, 
by  Gov.  Curtin,  November  1,  1864,  but  declined  muster,  desiring 
to  be  mustered  out  of  service  on  account  of  expration  of  term. 
He,  however,  remained  in  command  of  the  Regiment,  awaiting  op- 


JOHN    WAINWRIGHT,  COLONEL.  I  •"»•) 

portunity  for  discharge.  Received  lionorable  mention  in  Gen.  B.  F. 
Butler's  Congratulatory  Order  to  the  Army  of  the  James,  dated  Oc 
tober  11,  1864,  for  conducting  the  Regiment  in  the  assault  upon  the 
rebel  works  at  Spring  Hill  (Fort  Gilmcr),  near  Richmond,  Va.,  Sep 
tember  29,  1864.  He  accompanied  Gen.  Butler's  first  expedition 
against  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  in  December,  1864,  and  while  leading 
the  Regiment  in  the  final  assault  upon  Fort  Fisher,  by  Gen.  Terry's 
forces,  January  15,  1865,  received  a  slight  wound  in  the  right 
shoulder  from  a  spent  grape  shot.  He  was  promoted,  by  order  of 
War  Department,  to  brevet  captain  and  brevet  major,  to  date  from 
January  15,  1865,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  in  storming 
Fort  Fisher,  January  15,  1865. 

He  now  determined  to  remain  with  the  Regiment  during  the  re 
mainder  of  the  service.  He  was  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel,  to 
date  from  January  15,  1865 ;  but,  owing  to  delay  in  receiving  his 
commission,  was  superseded  in  the  command  of  the  Regiment  by 
the  return  of  Capt.  William  II.  Martin,  with  the  men  left  at 
Chapin's  Farm,  Va.  He  having  been  mustered  as  captain  of  Com 
pany  A,  became  senior  in  rank  to  Lieut.  Wainwright,  and  assumed 
command  of  the  Regiment  about  February  15,  1864.  Lieut.  Wain 
wright  was  then  detailed  acting  adjutant.  With  the  Regiment  he 
participated  in  the  movements  of  Gens.  Schofield's  and  Terry's 
forces,  which  resulted  in  the  the  capture  of  Wilmington,  Goldsboro' 
and  Raleigh,  and,  with  the  other  forces,  had  joined  Sherman's 
Army  previous  to  Johnson's  surrender. 

Meanwhile,  on  April  19,  1865,  he  was  mustered  as  lieutenant 
colonel,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  by  Lieut.  Seward,  U.  S.  Commissary  of 
Musters,  to  rank  from  January  15,  1865,  and  resumed  command, 
retaining  it  until  July  10,  1865,  when  he  was  assigned  to  command 
of  the  post  of  Gaston,  N.  C.,  having  been  commissioned  and  mus 
tered  colonel  of  the  Regiment,  June  15,  1865,  to  rank  from  June 
1,  1865,  vice  Col.  G.  Pennypacker,  promoted  to  brigadier  general 
U.  S.  Vols. 

Col.  Wainwright  remained  in  command  of  the  post  at  Gaston 
until  the  muster-out  of  the  Regiment  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  August  28, 
1865.  He  then  conducted  the  Regiment  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  where 
at  Camp  Cadwalader  the  men  were  paid  by  Maj.  D.  Taggart  and 
finally  discharged. 

Col.  Wainwright  entered  the  service  as  a  private  and  successively 
held  every  intervening  rank  in  his  Regiment,  to  that  of  colonel,  its 


454  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

highest  officer.  It  is  seldom  that  circumstances  afford  a  similar  op 
portunity  for  promotion.  He  was  always  a  faithful  and  attentive 
officer  in  every  position,  and  well  deserved  the  good  fortune  that 
opened  the  way  before  him  for  advancement. 

Since  the  close  of  the  war,  Col.  Wainwright  has  resided  in  Wil 
mington,  Del.,  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  where  as  a  citizen 
he  is  popular  and  highly  esteemed. 

WILLIAM  H.  MARTIN,  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGI 
MENT  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS. 

William  Henry  Martin  was  born  in  Alleghany  City,  Pa.,  April 
25,  1841.  He  was  the  son  of  William  Martin,  a  native  of  Western 
Pennsylvania,  now,  at  an  advanced  age,  a  resident  of  Philadelphia, 
with  an  only  daughter.* 

His  mother,  Catharine  Amanda  Peirce,  died  at  Parkesburg, 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  July  12,  1857,  leaving  a  family  of  six  children. 
The  family  had  removed  to  Chester  County  when  William  was 
about  two  years  of  age,  and  continued  to  reside  in  the  western  sec 
tion  of  it,  and  in  adjacent  portions  of  Lancaster  County,  until  the 
rebellion  occurred.  William  received  a  liberal  education  in  the 
neighboring  schools,  working  upon  the  farm  meantime,  and  had 
learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter.  When  the  news  of  the  firing 
upon  Fort  Sumter  was  received,  his  father  said  to  his  boys :  "  Go, 
boys,  to  the  war;  don't  let  that  glorious  flag  go  down,"  and  wished 
he  had  more  boys  old  enough  for  the  service.f 

Three  sons  enlisted.  William  entered  the  three  months'  service 
as  a  private  in  Company  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  1861.  After  his 
return  home,  he  re-enlisted  for  three  years,  in  Company  A,  97th 
P.  V.,  August  22,  1861,  and  was  appointed  a  corporal  to  date  from 
muster.  On  September  10,  1862,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  he  was 
detailed  with  Capt.  F.  M.  Guss,  and  others  of  the  Regiment,  upon 


*  Mr.  Martin  died,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  December  31,  1873,  aged  seventy 
years,  eight  months  and  ten  days. 

f  Two  brothers  of  Lieut.  Col.  Martin  served  in  Company  I,  7th  Pennsylvania 
Reserves.  Both  were  captured  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  with  others  of  their 
regiment.  The  eldest,  Gainer  P.  Martin,  died  from  confinement  and  starvation, 
at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  October  10,  1864,  in  that  horrid  prison  pen.  George,  the 
youngest,  was  paroled  about  the  same  time  and  reached  home  a  mere  skeleton, 
the  shadow  of  a  man. 


WILLIAM    H.  MARTIN,  LIEUTENANT   COLONEL.  455 

recruiting  service  in  Pennsylvania.  Upon  their  arrival  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  Corp.  Martin  was  sent  first  to  West  Chester  and  after 
ward  to  Christiana,  Lancaster  County.  He  rejoined  the  Regiment, 
at  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  December  25,  186*2.  He  re-enlisted  as 
one  of  the  veteran  volunteers,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  February  29, 
1864,  and  returned  home  upon  furlough  with  the  other  men  of  his 
Regiment,  March  27,  1864;  having  been  promoted  to  sergeant, 
March  4,  1864,  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Foster's  Place,  Va.,  May 
14,  1864.  On  August  4,  1864,  he  was  promoted  to  1st  sergeant,  to 
rank  from  July  1,  1864,  and  on  October  4,  1864,  he  was  promoted 
to  2d  lieutenant.  As  1st  sergeant,  he  commanded  his  company  in 
action,  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  September  29,  1864;  as  2d  lieutenant, 
at  Darby  Town,  October  7,  and  received  honorable  mention  in  Gen. 
Butler's  Congratulatory  Order,  October  11,  1864,  being  recom 
mended  for  promotion  to  1st  lieutenant.  He  was  promoted  to  1st 
lieutenant,  October  31,  1864.  When  the  first  expedition  (under 
Butler)  started  for  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  1st  Lieut.  Martin  was  left 
at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  in  charge  of  the  camp  and  detachment  of 
the  Regiment,  mostly  convalescents  and  men  who  had  recently 
joined. 

On  January  8,  1865,  he  was  detailed  as  assistant  acting  adjutant 
general  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Granger,  9th  Maine,  commanding 
the  detachment  of  the  2d  division,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
until  he  was  ordered  with  the  detachment  to  rejoin  the  regiment 
after  the  assault  at  Fort  Fisher.  Having  been  commissioned  and 
mustered  as  captain  of  Company  A,  to  rank  from  January  1,  1865, 
upon  rejoining  the  regiment  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  he  relieved 
Lieut.  Wainwright  of  the  command  and  conducted  the  regiment 
upon  the  advance  through  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  to  Faisson's  Station, 
N.  C.  On  April  19,  1865,  he  was  superseded  in  command  by  the 
muster  of  Lieut.  Col.  Wainwright.  On  May  12,  1865,  he  was 
detailed  upon  general  court-martial,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  by  Special 
Order  No.  31,  Head-Quarters  10th  Corps. 

On  June  20,  he  was  detailed  to  instruct  the  freedmen  and  others 
in  regard  to  their  duties  under  the  terms  of  the  President's  procla 
mation  and  to  settle  difficulties  at  contiguous  plantations,  in  which 
he  was  engaged  two  days,  visiting  various  localities. 

On  June  21,  he  was  again  detailed  upon  general  court-martial,  at 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  by  Special  Order  No.  74,  Head-Quarters  10th  Corps, 
and  again  on  July  11,  1865,  by  Special  Order  No.  90,  Par.  VI, 


456  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Head-Quarters  10th  Corps.  The  time  engaged  with  each  detail  is 
not  given.  He  was  mustered  out  with  the  Regiment,  at  Weldon, 
N.  C.,  August  28,  1865,  and  returned  with  the  men  to  Philadelphia. 
Lieut.  Col.  Martin  returned  to  Raleigh,  in  November,  1865,  where, 
on  November  16,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mattie  Louisa  Kirkham, 
youngest  daughter  of  James  H.  Kirkham,  Esq.,  whose  acquaintance 
he  had  made  while  stationed  in  that  vicinity.  He  received  the  ap 
pointment  of  chief  of  police  of  the  city  of  Raleigh,  where  he  has 
since  continued  to  reside. 

REV.  WILLIAM  M.  WHITEHEAD,  M.  D.,  CHAPLAIN  NINETY-SEVENTH 
REGIMENT  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS. 

William  M.  Whitehead  was  born  December  12,  1823,  in  Phila 
delphia.  In  early  years  he  experienced  strong  religious  convictions, 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  was  baptized  at  Kaighn's  Point. 

After  some  preparatory  training  he  entered  Madison  University, 
N.  Y.,  in  1844,  where  a  remarkable  deepening  of  his  religious  con 
victions  occurred. 

His  ordination  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  took  place  in  the  Cal 
vary  Church  in  1850.  The  Beulah  Church,  Chester  County,  was 
the  scene  of  his  earliest  ministerial  labors. 

In  1852,  he  assumed  the  charge  of  the  Frankford  Church,  where 
he  labored  seven  years  with  great  acceptance. 

In  1858,  he  removed  to  Great  Valley,  Chester  County.  This 
pastorate  he  resigned  after  four  years,  to  accept  the  chaplaincy  of 
the  97th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  November,  1861.  He 
continued  with  the  Regiment  during  most  of  the  year  1862.  His 
health  becoming  impaired,  he  resigned  and  was  honorably  dis 
charged,  August  20,  1862. 

In  April,  1863,  he  settled  in  McKeesport,  Alleghany  County, 
Pa.  Here  he  became  endeared  to  many.  In  1866,  he  accepted  the 
call  of  the  New  Britain  Church,  in  the  eastern  section  of  the  State. 

A  growing  family  and  an  inadequate  salary  prompted  him  to  pur 
sue  a  course  of  medical  studies  preparatory  to  practice  in  the  heal 
ing  art.  He  entered,  in  1871,  upon  his  joint  duties  as  pastor  and 
physician  in  Woodbury,  N.  J.  He  had  at  intervals  suffered  from  a 
return  of  chronic  diarrhoea  contracted  in  the  service.  This  now  in_ 
creasing,  he  was  prostrated  on  a  bed  of  pain ;  after  lingering  many 
months  he  died,  Januaiy  30,  1873.  Buried  at  Great  Valley  Church. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD    OF    SERVICE;    FIELD    OFFICERS. 


457 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


ROSTER  AND  RECORD  OF  SERVICE;   FIELD  AND  STAFF;  BAN 
PANIES  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  H,  I  AND  K. 


COM- 


PON  this  roster  and  record  of  service  are  briefly 
presented  all  the  changes  and  promotions  in  the 
field,  staff  and  company  officers,  and  those  of  the 
enlisted  men,  who  received  promotion  while  in  the 
service,  together  with  a  statement  of  casualties, 
deaths  and  discharges;  compiled  from  the  regi 
mental  and  company  records,  with  the  dates  all 
carefully  noted  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained. 
There  may  be  a  few  errors  and  omissions,  almost 
impossible  to  have  been  avoided,  in  the  compilation  from  so  large  a 
number  of  names,  dates  and  events.  These,  it  need  hardly  be 
stated,  were  altogether  as  unintentional  as  unavoidable. 

COLONELS. 

Henry  R.  Guss,  West  Chester;  com.  July  25,  '61;  mus.  into  service  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  to  date  from  Oct.  24,  '61,  to  rank  from  date  of  commission; 
first  entered  U.  S.  service  as  capt.  of  Co.  A,  9th  Regt.  P.  V.,  for  3 
mos.,  April  22,  '61.  and  served  until  July  29,  '61;  commanded  post  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  from  Aug.  1  to  Sept,  22,  '62;  again  from  Oct.  30  to 
Nov.  10,  '62;  commanded  1st  brig.,  1st  div.,  10th  corps,  from  April  3  to 
June  15, '63;  again  from  Aug.  1  to  Oct.  1,  '63;  was  in  command  of  post  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  from  Oct.  5,  '63,  to  April  1,  '64;  then  received  his  first 
leave  of  absence  to  accompany  the  re-enlisted  veterans  of  his  regt, 
returning  home  for  30  days'  furlough;  rejoined  regt,  at  Drury's  Bluff, 
near  Richmond,  Va.,  May  14,  '64,  and  was  assigned  to  command  of  1st 
brig.,  3d  div.,  10th  corps,  with  Army  of  the  James,  until  May  28,  '64, 
when  assigned  to  command  of  3d  brig.,  '2d  div.,  10th  corps,  which  com 
mand  he  retained  until  June  2,  '64,  when  he  tendered  his  resignation  to 
the  commanding  general,  which  being  accepted,  June  22,  '64,  be  was 
hon.  dis.,  having  served  nearly  3  yrs.  with  faithfulness  and  great  de 
votion  to  the  duties  of  every  command ;  he  was  subsequently  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  brev.  brig,  and  brev.  maj.  gen.,  U.  S.  Vols.,  to  rank  from 
March  13,  '65. 


458  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Galusha  Pennypacker,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  lieut.  col.;  first  entered  service 
as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  Regt.  P.  V.,  for  3  mos,  April  22,  '61,  and  pr.  to 
qr.  mr.  sergt.  of  regt.  and  was  acting  qr.  mr.  during  most  of  the  term ; 
re-entered  service  as  capt.,  Co.  A,  97th  P.  V.,  Aug.  22,  '61,  and  pr. 
to  maj.  Oct.  7,  '61;  was  in  command  of  regt.,  at  Camp  Wayne,  during 
the  organization  of  the  regiment,  until  Oct.  16,  '61;  and  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  from  Sept.  12  until  Sept.  22.  '62;  again  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C., 
from  July  20  (interrupted  at  intervals  by  illness)  to  Sept.  15,  '63;  again 
at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  in  command  of  regt.  and  of  post,  from  April  1  to 
April  23,  '64;  then  relieved  in  command  of  post  of  Fernandina;  com 
manded  regt.  in  the  James  River  expedition  until  May  20,  '64,  when 
w'd  3  times,  on  the  same  day,  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd., 
Va.;  again  resumed  command  of  regt.  as  lieut.  col.  Aug.  13,  '64;  having 
been  mustered  on  that  date,  to  rank  from  April  3,  '64;  commanded  centre 
div.  of  brig.  (76th  and  97th  P.  V.)  in  an  advance  upon  the  enemy's  lines, 
near  Deep  Bottom,  Va.,  Aug.  14,  '64;  led  his  regt.  continuing  the  ad 
vance,  near  same  place,  Aug.  15,  '64;  on  which  date  he  was  mus.  col.  of 
the  regt.,  to  rank  from  June  22,  '64;  on  Aug.  16,  commanded  regt.,  in 
action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.;  continued  in  command  of  regt.  until 
Sept.  15,  '64,  when  assigned  to  command  of  2d  brig.,  2d  div.,  10th  corps, 
then  on  duty  in  the  trenches  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  where  it  continued 
until  near  the  end  of  Sept.,  '64;  cummanded  brig,  in  action  at  New 
Market  Heights  and  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  28  and  29,  '64;  being  w'd 
and  his  horse  killed  under  him  in  the  latter  action;  commanded  his  brig, 
in  action  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Oct.  7;  again  at  Darby  Town,  Oct.  29,  '64; 
with  his  brig,  accompanied  Gen.  Butler's  expedition  against  Fort  Fisher, 
Dec.,  '64,;  led  his  brig.,  the  second  in  the  assault,  upon  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '64,  when  he  was  severely  wounded  (supposed  mortally), 
pr.  to  brev.  brig,  gen.,  U.  S.  Vols.,  to  rank  from  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to 
brig,  gen.,  U.  S.  Vols.,  Feb.  18,  '65,  and  to  brev.  maj.  gen.,  U.  S.  Vols., 
March  13,  '65;  res.  and  hon.  dis.,  May  1,  '66;  having  served  5  yrs.  and 
11  days;  appointed  col.  34th  Infty,  U.  S.  Army,  Dec.  1,  '66,  to  rank  from 
July  28,  '66;  pr.  to  brev.  brig,  gen.,  U.  S.  Army,  and  to  brev.  maj.  gen. 
U.  S.  -Army,  March  2,  '67;  transferred  to  command  of  16th  Infty,  U.  S. 
Army,  March  25,  '69.  [Com'd  in  Dept  South,  hd.-qrs.  Nashville,  Tenn. 

John  Wainwright,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  lieut.  col.  June  15,  '65,  to  rank  from 
June  1,  '65;  first  entered  service  as  priv.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  V.,  for  3 
mos.,  in  April,  '61;  entered  3  yrs.  service  Sept.  23,  '61,  as  1st  sergt.,  Co. 
F,  97th  P.  V.;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Jan.  10,  '62;  w'd  at  James  Island,  S.  C., 
June  9,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  March  9,  '63;  com.  capt.  Co.  F,  97th  P.  V.; 
Nov.  1,  '64;  not  mus.;  was  in  com'd  of  regt,  as  senior  1st  lieut.,  from 
Oct.  28,  '64,  until  Feb.,  '65;  was  w'd  while  leading  the  regt.  in  the  assault 
upon  Fort  Fisher,  Jan.  15,  '65;  was  act'g  adjt.  of  regt.  from  Feb.,  '65, 
until  April  19,  when  com.  lieut.  col.,  to  rank  from  Jan.  15,  '65,  then  re 
sumed  com'd  of  the  regt.;  retained  it  until  July  10,  '65,  when,  as  col.,  he 
was  assigned  to  com'd  of  post  at  Gaston,  N.  C;  mus.  out.,  with  regt., 
Weldon,  N,  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65,  per  S.  0.  154,  C.  S.,  hd.-qrs.  Dept.  N.  C., 
dated  Aug.  16,  '65. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    FIELD    OFFICERS.  •!•")!» 

LIEUTENANT    COLONELS. 

Augustus  P.  Duer,  Penningtonville,  Chester  Co  ;  entered  military  academy  (en 
gineering  department),  at  West  Point,  July  1,  '37;  ap.  lieut.  col.  Oct.  7, 
'61;  com'd  regt.  during  a  portion  of  the  time  it  remained  at  Camp  Wayne, 
West  Chester;  was  again  in  com'd  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  '62;  at 
Seabrook  Island,  May,  '63,;  and  at  St.  Helena,  S.  C.,  was  in  com'd  of  con 
valescent  camp,  from  June  20  to  Sept.  30  '63;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  April  3,  '64;  S.  0.  131,  hd.-qrs.  Dept.  South,  April  3,  '64. 

Galusha  Pennypacker;  pr.  from  maj.,  to  rank  from  April  3,  '64;  mus.  Aug.  13, 
'64;  pr.  to  col.,  to  rank  from  June  23,  '64. 

George  W.  Hawkins,  Delaware  Co.;  pr.  from  capt.  of  Co.  I,  after  death,  being 
mortally  w'd  while  in  com'd  of  regt.  in  action,  Oct.  27,  '64,  at  Darby 
Town  Road,  Va.,  not  mus.;  died  of  w'ds  Oct.  28,  '64.  [Term  of  service 
exp.  on  the  day  he  was  w'd.] 

John  Wainwright;  pr.  from  1st  lieut  Co  F;  com.  and  mus.  April  19,  '65,  to  rank 
fiom  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  col.  June  1,  '65. 

William  II.  Martin,  Lancaster  Co.;  pr.  from  maj.  June  1,  65;  not  mus. 

MAJORS. 

Galusha  Pennypacker;  pr.  from  capt.  Co.  A.  Oct.  7,  '61;  pr.  to  lieut.  col.  April 
3.  '64. 

Isaiah  Price,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  capt.  Co.  C,  April  3,  '64;  com'd  regt. 
during  a  portion  of  the  siege  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  from  July  to  Oct  '63; 
again  from  May  20  to  Aug.  13,  '64;  w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Ber 
muda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  at  Burmuda  H'd,  Va.,  Sept.  17, 
'64,  at  exp.  of  term  as  capt.  Co.  C.  [Prevented  from  mus.  as  maj.  on 
acct.  of  absence  of  Col.  Pennypacker,  w'd;  since  received  pr.  as  brev. 
lieut.  col.  and  brev.  col.,  to  date  from  Sept.  19,  '64. 

William  H.  Martin;  pr.  from  capt.  of  Co.  A,  March  15,  '65,  to  rank  from  Jan. 
15,  '65;  pr.  to  lieut.  col.  June  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  28,  '65;  vet. 

Leonard  R.  Thomas,  Mortonville,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  capt.  Co.  C,  June  1,  '65; 
not  mus.;  mus.  out  as  capt.  Co.  C,  Aug  28,  '65. 

ADJUTANTS. 

Henry  W.  Carruthers,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  1st  lieut.  Co.  C.  Oct.  31,  '61; 
first  entered  service  as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.; 
com.  1st  lieut.  Co.  C,  Sept.  11,  '61;  pr.  to  adjt.  Oct.  31,  '61;  act.  asst. 
adjt.  gen.  on  staff  of  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  from  Aug.  18  to  Sept.  24,  '62 ;  again 
from  April  3  to  June  15,  '63;  again  from  Aug.  1  to  Oct.  1.  '63,  at  Morris 
Island,  S.  C.;  ap.  post  adjt.  and  act.  asst.  insp.  gen.  of  post  of  Fernandina, 
Fla.,  from  Oct.  5,  '63,  to  April  1,  '64;  accompanied  re-enlisted  vets,  of 
regt.  home  on  furlough;  rejoined  regt.  May  14,  '64;  then  ap.  A.  A.  A.  Gen. 
of  1st  brig.  3d  div.,  10th  corps,  until  June  4,  '64;  pr.  capt.  of  Co.  C,  97th 
P.  V.,  to  rank  from  April  3,  '64 ;  not  mus.;  severely  w'd  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  of  w'ds  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  Chesapeake 
Hosp.  Fortress  Monroe,  Va. 

Elwood  P.  Baldwin,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  1st  sergt.  Co.  H,  to  1st  lieut.  and 
adjt.  May  26,  '65;  mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  28,  '65,  at  Weldon,  N.  C. 


460  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

QUARTER    MASTERS. 

David  Jones,  West  Chester;  com.  Oct.  31,  '61;  first  entered  service  as  1st  lieut. 
Co.  F,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  com.  1st  lieut.  Co.  H,  97th 
P.  V.,  Oct.  19,  '61;  ap.  post  qr.  rar.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  from  Aug.  18, 
'62,  to  Oct.  1,  '63;  ap.  post  qr.  mr.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  from  Oct.  7,  '63, 
to  Feb.  25,  '64;  again  from  March  27,  '64,  to  April  23,  '64;  ap.  act.  asst. 
qr.  mr.  10th  corps,  from  April  25,  to  Oct.  20,  '64;  hon.  dis.  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  Oct.  31,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Since  rec'd,  from  Gov.  Curtin, 
brev.  pr.  as  capt.,  to  date  from  Oct.  31,  '64,  and,  from  Gov.  Geary,  brev. 
pr.  as  maj.  to  date  from  Oct.  31,  '64.] 

George  L.  Taggart,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  qr.  mr.  sergt.  to  1st  lieut.  and  qr.  mr., 
to  rank  from  Oct.  31,  '64;  ap.  not  accepted;  dis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp. 
of  term.  [Com.  dated  Jan.  1,  '65.] 

John  H.  Brower,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  qr.  mr  sergt.  to  1st  lieut.  and  qr.  rar., 
June  7,  '65;  mus.  out  with  regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

SURGEONS. 

John  R.  Everhart,  West  Chester;  com.  and  mus.  Oct.  14,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  act. 
brig,  surg.,  on  staff  of  Col.  Guss,  from  April  3  to  May  1.  '63;  again  from 
Aug.  1  to  Oct.  1,  '63;  ap.  post  surg.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  from  Oct.  5,  '63, 
to  April  22,  '64;  act.  brig.  surg.  1st  brig.,  3d  div.,  10th  corps  from  May  1 
to  Nov.  12,  '64;  hon.  dis.  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Since 
rec'd,  from  Gov.  Curtin,  brev.  pr  as  lieut.  col.,  to  date  from  Oct.  31,  '64.] 

Pennock  J.  Nichols,  Chester  Co.;  ap.  Feb.  27,  '65;  first  entered  service  as  asst. 
surg.,  58th  P.  V.,  Aug.  2,  '62;  was  health  officer  of  post  at  Washington, 
N.  C.,from  Jan.  11  to  April  25,  '64;  chief  surg.  of  Art'y  brig.,  18th  corps, 
from  Sept.  16,  '64,  to  March  12,  '65;  ordered  to  97th  P.  V.  as  surg.  of 
that  regt.,  then  at  Faisson's  Station,  N.  C.,  and  mus.  as  surg.  March  25, 
'65;  act.  brig.  surg.  of  2d  brig.,  2d  div.,  10th  corps,  from  April  5  to  July 
10,  '65;  hon.  dis.  with  regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

ASSISTANT    SURGEONS. 

George  W.  Miller,  Philadelphia;  com.  and  mus.  Oct.  14,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  to 
charge  of  a  ward  in  IT.  S.  Gen.  Hosp.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  from  Oct.  1, 
'62,  to  Oct.  1,  '63;  hon.  dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  25,  '64,  to  accept 
promotion  as  surg.  in  50th  P.  V.;  not  mus.,  as  the  regt.  was  below  the 
minimum  number.  [Com.  surg.  of  52d  P.  V.,  June  7,  '64;  declined;  ap. 
asst.  surg.  at  Summit  House  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  from  June  14,  '64,  to 
March  16,  '65;  det.  in  charge  of  prov.  marshal's  office,  Washington,  D.  C., 
until  March  25,  '65;  com.  1st  asst.  surg.,  4th  regt.,  Hancock's  1st  Corps, 
det.  in  charge  of  hosp.,  at  Camp  Stoneman,  until  June  27,  '65;  sub 
sequently  enlisted  as  priv.  in  Co.  K,  8th  U.  S.  Cav.,  serving  in  Arizona 
Territory;  ap.  hosp.  stew'd  at  Camp  Whipple;  dis.  Sept.  7,  '69;  died  at 
Wickenberg,  A.  T.,  Sept.  27,  '69.] 

William  C.  Morrison,  Chester  Co.;  com.  Aug.  1,  '62;  assigned  to  regt.  and  joined 
Sept.  5,  '62;  temp'y  det.  for  duty  with  bat.  of  24th  Mass,  from  July  10, 
'63,  to  Aug.  6,  '63  ;  again  to  4th  N.  H.  Vols.,  Sept.,  '64;  again  to  9th  Maine 
Vols.,  Oct.,  '64;  res.  and  was  hon.  dis.  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  Jan.  1,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF.    461 

CHAPLAINS. 
William  M   Whitehead,  Chester  Co.;  com.  and  mus.,  Nov.  19,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

res.  on  account  of  failing  health  ;  hon.  dis.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.r  Aug. 

20,  '62. 
David  W.  Moore,  Centreville,  Delaware  State;  com.  June  7,  '64;  joined  regt., 

near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  16,  '64;  res.  oii*account  of  failing  health  from 

exposure;  hon.  dis.  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  Nov.  21,  '64. 

SERGEANT    MAJORS. 

George  A.  Lemaistre,  Philadelphia;  pr.  from  sergt.,  Co.  H,  Oct.  31,  '61;  pr.  to 

2d  lieut.,  Co.  H,  April  30,  '62;  com.  rec'd  June  22,  '62. 
Samuel  W.  Hawley,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  C,  June  G,  '62;  \v'd  in 

action  at  Swift  Creek,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  May  9,  '64  ;  mus.  out  Sept. 

17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Cheyney  T.  Haines,  Chandlerville,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  G,  Sept.  18, 

'64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.,  Co.  G,  Nov.  2,  '64.;  vet. 
Henry  R.  Coat'es,  Philadelphia;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  K,  Jan    1,  '65;    mug.  out 

with  regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65 ;  vet. 

QUARTER-MASTER    SERGEANTS. 

James  T.  Skiles,  Chester  Co.;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  B,  Oct.  29,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut., 

Co.  B,  Dec.  16,  '62;  com.  rec'd,  May  27,  '63;  mus.,  June  19,  '63. 
George  L.  Taggart,  Coatesville;  pr.  from  priv.,  Co.  A,  S.  O.  20,  h'd-qrs.  97th 

P.  V.,  July  1,  '63;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '»>4,  at  exp.  of  terra;  ap.  qr.  mr.; 

com.  rec'd,  Jan.  1,  '65,  but  did  not  accept. 
Leonard  K.  Thomas,  Mortonville ;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  C,  Sept.   1,  '64;  pr.  to  2d 

lieut.,  Co.  C,  Sept.  23,  '64;  not  mus.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.,  Co.  C,  Nov.  2, 

'64;   vet. 
John  H.  Brower,  East  Vincent;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  F,  Jan.  1,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 

and  qr.  mr.,  May  1,  '65;  mus.  July  10,  '65,  to  rank  from  June  7,  '65;  vet, 
David  R.  Cochran,  Media;  pr.  from  sergt.,  Co.  G,  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with 

regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65;  vet.     [Died  at  home,  Delaware  Co., 

Pa.,  Oct.  26,  '69.] 

COMMISSARY    SERGEANTS. 

Thomas  McKay,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  sergt.,  Co.  A,  Oct.  29,  '61;  mus.  out 

Aug.  30,  64,  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Dallas  Crow,  Sadsbury ville ;  pr.   from   sergt.,  Co.  B,  Sept.   1,  '64;    pr.  to  1st 

lieut.,  Co.  B,  Dec.  1,   '64;  mus.  March  21,  '65,  to  rank  from  March  1, 

'65;  vet. 
Washington  W.  James,  Edgemont,  Delaware  Co.;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  G,  April  1, 

'65;  pr.  to  capt.,  Co.  G,  May  1.  '65;  mus.,  July  10,  '65,  to  rank  from  May 

26,  '65;  vet. 
Caleb   Mercer,  Coatesville;  pr.  from  sergt.,  Co.  F,  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with 

regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65;  vet. 

HOSPITAL    STEWARDS. 

Hsrmon  Heed,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  priv.,  Co.  H,  Oct.  29,  '61  ;  dis.  on  surg. 
cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  3,  '62. 


462  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT. 

Reuben  H.  Smith,  M.  D..  Media;  pr.  from  1st  sergt.,  Co.  G,  Sept.  4,  '62;  hon. 
dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  27,  '63,  to  accept  prom.  [Ap.  asst.  surg. 
of  Vols.,  April  18,  '63,  and  assigned  to  duty  with  board  of  enrolment 
to  report  to  prov.  marsh.,  at  West  Chester;  hon.  dis.,  June  15,  '65,  in 
consequence  of  suspension  of  draft  and  rect.  service;  ap.  asst.  surg.  45th 
P.  V.,  July  6,  '65;  mus*  out  with  regt.  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  July  17,  '65.] 

John  Y.  McCarter,  Upper  Oxford;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  C,  April  1,  '63;  mus.  out 
before  Petersburg,  Va.,  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Madison  Lovett,  Colerain,  Lancaster  Co.;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  A,  Sept.  18,  '64; 
det.  as  attendant  at  field  hosp.,  10th  Corps,  uear  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  Jan. 
23,  '65;  mus.  out  with  regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65;  vet. 

PRINCIPAL   MUSICIANS. 

James  St.  John,  Sr.,  Philadelphia;  ap.  Oct.  29,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  was  in  war  of 

1812  as  drummer  boy;  in  regular  army  for  5  yrs.;  served  as  drum  maj.  in 

Mexican  war;  in  3  mos.  service,  from  April  22,  '61,  as  drum  maj.  9th 

P.  V.;  enlisted  in  97th  P.  V.,  Aug.  22,  '61,  and  ap.  principal  musician; 

mus.  out  in  accordance  with  G.  0.  126,  War  Dept.,  and  S.  0.  327,  Dept. 

of  the  South,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.   13,  '62 ;  re-enlisted  as  drummer 

in  Co.  D,  Nov.  26,  '62,  and  re-ap.  principal  musician.,  May  1,  '63;  hon. 

dis.  before   Petersburg,  Va.,  Sept.   14,  '64,  by  reason  of  age  and   failing 

health;  having  served  faithfully  with  regt.  over  3  yrs. 
Casper  C.  Fahnestock,  Jr.,  Paoli ;  first  entered  service  as  fifer,  Co.  E,  9th  P.  V., 

in  3  mos.  service,  and  was  acting  fife  maj.  of  regt.;  pr.  from  musician, 

Co.  K,  Nov.  16,  '61;  mus.  out  in  accordance  with  G-.  0.  126,  War  Dept. 

and  S.  0.  327,  Dept.   of  the  South,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  13,  '61. 

[Re-entered  the  service  for  3  yrs.,  as  fifer  in  186th  P.  V.,  Jan.,  '64,  and 

mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  15,  '65.] 
John  Parsons,  Jr.,  Media;  pr.  from  musician,  Co.  I,  March  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action 

at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  died  of  w'ds  in  hosp., 

at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  May  25,  '64 ;  vet.     [Bu.  rec.  May  25,  '64,  at 

Hampton,  Va.] 
James   J.  Wilson,    England,  pr.  from   musician,  Co.  C,  June   20,  '64;  w'd   in 

action  near  Petersburg,  June  25,  64;  dis.,  Sept.  10,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Milton  S.  Taylor,  West  Chester;  pr.  from  fifer,  Co.  H,  Sept.  18,  '64;  mus.  out 

with  regt.  at  Weldon,  N.  C  ,  Aug.  28,  '65;  vet. 
John  Weber,  Oxford;  pr.  from  corp.,  Co.  F,  May  20,  '65;  mus.  out  with  regt. 

at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65  ;  vet. 

GUSS   FENCIBLES    CORNET    BAND. 

John  H.  Taylor,  leader,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs. 
sick  leave  of  absence  granted  Nov.  30,  '61,  at  Washington,  D.  C.;  never 
returned  to  regt.;  hon.  dis.  Aug.  31,  '62,  in  accordance  with  G.  0.  91; 
War  Dept.  [Re-entered  service  for  3  yrs.,  Jan.,  '64,  as  fifer  in  186tb, 
P.  V.,  and  pr.  to  fife  maj.;  mus.  out  with  regt.,  Aug.  15,  '65.] 

George  P.  Ellinger,  leader,  Lancaster  City;  mus.  as  leader,  Oct.  24,  '61;  mus- 
out  Aug.  31,  '62,  in  accordance  with  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept.  [Re-entered 
3  yrs.  service  as  leader,  87th  P.  V.,  3d  div.,  6th  corps;  was  taken  pris.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    GUSS   FENCIBLES   BAND.      463 

Hiram  Sbeuk,  E  flat  cornet,  Marticville,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  15, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Francis  T.  Brubaker,  E  flat  cornet,  Strasburg,   Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  ia  Co.   II, 

Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War.  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62.     [Re- 

entered  service  for  3  yrs.,  Jan.,  '64,  as  fifer,  186th  P.  V.] 
Samuel  Bookman,  B  flat  cornet,  Marticville,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct. 

15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.      [Re-entered  service  in  fall  of  '64  in  band  of  203d 

P.  V.;  mus.  out  with  regt.  June  22,  '65.] 
Bernard  Reed,  B  flat  cornet,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.   H,  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62.     [Died  Sept.,  '71.] 
John  Steube,  B  flat  cornet,  Strasburg,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  10, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Amos  McFalls,  alto,  Marticville,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.   15,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Thomas  H.  Windle,  alto,  Coatesville ;  mus.  in  band  Oct.  28,  '61;  dis.  on  account 

of  disability  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  22,  '62.     [Re-entered 

service  June  16,  '63,  in  Capt.  Alban  H.  Meyer's  Independent  Pa.  Cav. 

for  emergency,  and  was  dis.  with  co.  as  corp.,  July  31,  63.     Elected  Clerk 

of  Courts  of  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  for  3  yrs.,  Oct.  13,  '03.] 
William  H.  H.  Taylor,  alto,  Chester,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  in  band,  Oct.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
George  W.  Meyers,  alto,  Strasburg,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  Co.  II,  Oct.  10,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;    dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at   Edisto,  S.  C.,  April  22,  '62.      [Since 

died  at  home.] 
Christian  Roecker,  tenor,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yre., 

dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62.     [Died  at  home,  Sept.  19,  '67, 

and  buried  with  military  honors.] 
John  M.  Kay,  tenor,  Chandlerville;  mus.  as  musician  in  Co.  A,  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.,  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  19,  '62.     [Since 

died  at  home.] 
Gabriel  Spence,  baritone,  Marticville,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  in  band,  Oct.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs;  taken  pris'r  in  action  at  Secessionville,  James  Island,  S.  C., 

June  16,  '62;  paroled  Dec.  6,  '62,  and  dis. 
William  C.  Hemphill,  baritone,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  15,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
William  Dalling,  basso,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs; 

dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62.     [Re-entered  service  April,  '63; 

in  band  of  2d  brig.,  2d  div.,  2d  Corps;  mus.  out  with  band  Dec.,  '63.] 
Bernard  Roecker,  basso,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Richard  M.  Lovell,  basso,  Chandlerville;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

trans,  from  basso  to  alto,  Feb.  1,  '62;  dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug. 

31,  '62. 
Austin  M.  Fithian,  tenor  drum,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H,  Oct.  15,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  O.  91,  War  Dept,  Aug.  31,  '62.     [Re-entered  service 

April,  '63,  in  band  of  2d  brig.,  2d  div.,  2d  corps;  mus.  out  Dec.,  '63;  again 

re-entered  service  as  drummer  in  186th  P.  V.;  mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug. 

15,  '65.] 


464  HISTORY    OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Willie  S.  St.  John,  tenor  drum,  Philadelphia;  mus.  in  band,  Oct.  24,  '61.  for  3 
yrs.;  clis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62;  re-enlisted  as  drummer 
in  Co.  A,  97th  P.  V.,  Sept.  31,  '62,  for  3  yrs. 

John  L.  Hosmer,  bass  drum,  Newtown  Square,  Delaware  Co.,  mus.  in  Co.  H, 
Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  91,  War  Dept.,  Aug.  31,  '62.  [Re- 
entered  service  for  9  mos  ,  in  Co.  I,  175th  Pa.  drafted  militia;  pr.  2d 
lieut.,  Jan.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  7,  '63.] 

Harrison  Taylor,  cymbals,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  band,  Oct  25,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
left  at  West  Chester,  Nov.  16,  '61;  marked  upon  rolls  as  a  deserter;  sab- 
sequently  reported  mus.  out  Aug.  31,  '62.  [Re-entered  service  for  3  yrs., 
Jan.,  '64,  as  drummer  in  186th  P.  Y.;  dis.  with  regt.,  Aug.  15,  '65.] 

P.  Atwood  Gould,  cymbals,  West  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  H.  Nov.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
trans,  to  band,  same  date,  vice  H.  Taylor,  absent;  served  with  band  until 
its  discharge,  Aug.  31,  '62;  returned  to  Co.  H;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  (pros 
tration  from  yellow  fever,)  at  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  Dec.,  10,  '62.  [Re- 
entered  service  April,  '65,  in  band  of  2d  brig.,  2d  div.,  2d  corps;  mus.  out 
Dec.,  '63;  again  in  service,  Feb.,  '64,  as  1st  duty  sergt.,  Co.  M,  20tb  Pa. 
Cav.;  pr.  2d  lieut.,  April,  23,  '65;  mus.  out  with  Co.  C,  1st  Pa.  Cav.  July 
13,  '65.] 

COMPANY   A,  QUSS    FENCIBLES. 

Capt.  Galusha  Pennypacker,  19  yrs.,  learning  printing,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  priv.,  Co.  A,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61,  and  pr.  to  sergt.  and  to 
qr.  mr.  sergt;  mus.  out  July  29,  '61;  mus.  capt.  Co.  A,  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  pr.  to  maj.,  Oct.  7,  '61. 

Capt.  Francis  M.  Guss,  31  yrs.,  livery  keeper,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  1st  lieut.  Co.  A,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61 ;  mus.  out  July  29,  '61 ;  elected 
capt.  Co  A,  97th  P.  Y.,  Oct.  12,  '61 ;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  at 
Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64;  dis.  for  w'ds  on  surg. 
cert,  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Oct.  3,  '64. 

Capt.  William  II.  Martin,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  first  en 
tered  service  as  priv.,  Co.  A,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61;  mus.  out  July  29, 
'61;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.;  pr.  to  2d  corp.,  May  1,  '62,; 
to  1st  corp.,  Jan.  9,  '63;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.,  March  4,  '64;  vet]  re-mus. 
March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  Aug.  22,  '64;  pr.  to 
2d  lieut.,  Oct.  4,  64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.,  Oct.  21,  '64;  pr.  to  capt,  Jan.  1,  '65; 
pr.  to  maj.,  March  1,  '65,  to  rank  from  Jan.  15,  '65. 

Capt.  Lewis  E  Humpton,  20  yrs.,  miller,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct. 
10,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.,  Nov.  24,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  Dec.  4,  '64;  pr.  to  capt., 
Feb.  28,  '65,  to  rank  from  Jan.  15,  '65;  res.  and  hoa.  dis  ,  at  Raleigh,  N. 
C.,  May  22,  '65. 

Capt.  Robert  L.  Black,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Coatesville;  first  entered  service  as 
priv.,  Co.  F,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61;  mus.  out  July  29,  '61;  mus.  as  priv., 
Co.  A,  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  at  John's  Island,  S.  C.,  June  7,  '62; 
vet;  re-rnus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp,  Oct.  10,  '64; 
pr.  to  sergt.,  Nov.  24,  '64 ;  w'd  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65  ;  pr.  to 
1st  lieut.,  Feb.  28,  '65;  mus.  March  15,  '65;  com.  capt.,  June  15,  '65;  not 
mus.;  mus.  out  with  company  as  1st  lieut.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    A.  465 

1st  Lieut.  Le,wis  Y.  Evans,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  1st.  sergt ,  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61;  nius.  out  July  29, 
'61;  mus.  1st.  lieut,  Co.  A,  Aug  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  capt.,  Co.  G, 
97th  P.  V.,  May  1,  '62.  [See  Co.  G.] 

1st  Lieut.  William  Peace,  28  yrs  ,  bricklayer,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  2d  lieut.,  Co. 
A,  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st.  lieut.,  May  1,  '62;  res.  and  hon.  dis., 
at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Feb.  18,  '64,  by  S.  0.  63,  Dept.  South. 

1st  Lieut.  Abel  Griffith,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service  as 
corp.,  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '01 ;  raus.  out  July  29,  '61 ;  mus.  Aug. 
22,  '01,  and  ap.  2d  sergt,,  Co.  A;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  1,  '02;  vet]  re- 
mus.  March  10,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.,  March  4,  '64; 
w'd  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  dis.  for  w'ds  on 
surg.  cert.,  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Sept.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Lieut.  Henry  T.  Gray,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Concordville,  Delaware  Co.;  rec't; 
mus.  March  10,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp,,  Aug.  1,  64;  pr.  to  sergt., 
Aug.  23,  '04;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  Oct.  4,  '04;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.,  Dec.  4,  '64, 
not  accepted ;  mus.  out  as  1st  sergt,  May  9,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Lieut.  Frank  C.  Henry,  19  yrs.,  iron  moulder,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
22,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus,  March  10,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64; 
pr.  to  corp.,  Nov.  24,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.,  Feb.  1,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  May 
10,  '05;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.,  mus.  May  26,  '65,  to  rank  from  May  1,  '65;  pr.  to 
1st  lieut.,  June  15,  '65;  not  mus.;  raus.  out  with  co.  as  2d  lieut.,  Aug.  28, 
'65.  [Re-entered  service  in  U.  S.  A.,  Oct..  '00;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  Co.  K, 
24th  Tnft'y;  dis.  at  Yicksburg,  Miss.,  June,  '68] 

2d  Lieut.  Thomas  E.  Weber,  22  yrs.,  gas  fitter,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  corp.  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  for  3  mos.,  April  22,  '61;  mus.  Aug. 
22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.,  May  1,  '62;  w'd  at 
James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  9,  '62;  tr.  to  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  March  31,  '63, 

2d  Lieut.  Isaac  J.  Burton,  32  yrs.,  cabinet  maker,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.,  Oct.  29,  '61;  pr.  to  2d 
sergt,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.,  March  4,  '63;  w'd  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  24,  '64;  dis.  for  w'ds  frotn  U.  S.  Hosp.  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Oct. 
3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

2d  Lieut  Joseph  Phillips,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Ridley,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64; 
w'd  near  Petersburg,  July  IT,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.,  Feb.  1,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt,, 
March,- 10,  '65 ;  pr.  to  1st  sergt,  June  14,  '65  ;  pr.  to  2d  lieut,  to  rank  from 
June  15,  '65;  not  mus.;  mus.  out  with  co.  as  1st  sergt.,  Aug.  28,  '65,  at 
Weldon,  N.  C. 

1st  Sergt.  Jarvis  J.  Rudolph,  27  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.,  ap.  1st  corp.;  pr.  to  5th  sergt,  Nov.    1,  '61;  pr.  to  4th 
sergt.,  May  1,  62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.,  Jan.  9,  '63  ;  pr  to  1st  sergt.,  March  4,  • 
'64;  w'd  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug. 
22,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Died  at  home  of  consumption,  May  9,  '09.] 

Sergt.  Thomas  McKay,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester ;  first  entered  service  as 
corp  ,  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt;  pr.  to   com.  sergt,  Oct.  29,  '61 ;   mus.  in  non.   com. 
staff,  April  28,  '62. 
30 


466  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Sergt.  John  Brubaker,  19  yrs.,  clerk,  Penningtonville ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.,  ap.  5th  sergt.;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.,  Oct.  29,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.,  May 
1,  '62;  reduced  to  ranks,  Jan.  9,  '63.  [See  list  of  privates.] 

Sergt.  William  L.  Morris,  23  yrs.,  school  teacher,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus. 
Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  ap.  2d  corp.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  April  28,  '62;  pr.  to 
5th  sergt.,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.,  Jan.  9,  '63;  pr.  to  2d  sergt. 
March  4,  '64;  w'd  slightly  in  head,  July  15,  '64,  near  Petersburg,  Ya.; 
mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Stackhouse,  28  yrs.,  house  painter,  Concordville,  Delaware 
Co.;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.;  pr.  to  4th  corp.,  April  28, 
'62;  pr.  to  1st  corp.,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.,  Jan.  9,  '63;  pr.  to  3d, 
sergt.  March  4,  '64;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mor 
tally  w'd  in  action,  at  Malvern  Hill  Road,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  of  w'ds 
on  board  transport  George  A.  Leary,  James  River,  on  the  way  to  hosp. 
at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Aug.  19,  '64. 

Sergt.  Jeptha  Clark,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  priv.,  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.,  Feb. 
1,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt.,  May  1;  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  James  P.  Smedley,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  priv.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.  Jan.  1,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt.,  May  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65, 

Sergt.  Allison  Gibson,  35  yrs.,  joiner,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  rec't ;  mus. 
as  priv.,  Oct.  IT,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt.,  dates  unknown  ; 
mus  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  George  Ellam,  21  yrs.,  wood  turner,  Coatesville ;  mus.  Aug.  22;  '61,  for  3  yrs; 
ap.  4th  corp.;  pr.  to  3d  corp.,  Jan.  9,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to 
date  Feb.  29,  '64;  missing  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Ya.,  Sept.  29,  '64; 
was  a  pris'r  until  May  29,  '65,  when  exchanged  and  sent  to  Camp  Parole, 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  there  dis.  by  G.  0.,  July  27,  '65. 

Corp.  Harry  L.  Pyott,  26  yrs.,  carpenter,  Willistown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.;  pr.  to  3d  corp.,  May  1,  '62  ;  pr.  to  2d  corp.,  Jan.  9,  '63; 
pr.  to  1st  corp.,  March  4,  64  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Reese  Elmer  Welch,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Honeybrook;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.;  pr.  to  5th  corp.,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp.,  Jan,  9, 
'63;  pr.  3d  corp.,  March  4,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  25,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Jacob  Daubman,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.,  April  28,  '62;  pr.  to  6th  corp.,  May 
1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  corp.,  Jan  9,  '63;  pr.  to  4th  corp.,  March  4,  '64;  w'd  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at 
exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Alfred  B.  Peace,  24  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  priv  ,  Aug.  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.,  April  28,  '62,  to  date  from  Nov.  1,  '61  ;  pr.  to 
7th  corp.,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  6th  corp.,  Jan.  9,  '63;  pr.  to  5th  corp.,  March 
4,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Madison  Lovett,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Colerain,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 
8th  corp.,  March  4,  '64;  pr.  to  7th  corp.,  July  1,  '64;  w'd  slightly,  July 
16,  '64,  in  trenches,  near  Petersburg,  Ya.;  pr.  hosp.  steward,  Sept.  18,  '64. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    A.  467 

Corp.  Xathaniel  R.  Cowan,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Churohtown,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus. 

as  priv.,  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.,  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  7th  corp., 

Jan.  9,  '63;  pr.  to  6th  corp.,  March  4,  '64;  \v'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  from  McClellan  HoRp.,  Philadelphia, 

Nov.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  John  T  Taylor,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv., 

Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.,  and  detailed  on  color  guard,  Jan. 

9,  '63;  pr.  to  7th  corp.,  March  4,  '64;  killed  in  action,  with  color  guard,  at 

Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July   30, '64 ;  body  left  on   the  field,   the  enemy 

having  occupied  the  position  before  it  could  be  recovered. 
Caleb  B.  Moore,    31,  yrs.,   blacksmith,    Oak    Hill,   Lancaster    Co.;    rec't;    raus. 

as  priv.,  Oct.  16,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.,  July  1,  '64;  w'd    near 

Petersburg,  Va.,  July  16,  '64;  dis.  for  w'ds  on  surg.  cert.,  April  22,  '65,  at 

U.  S.  Gen.  Hosp.  at  Portsmouth,  Va. 
Corp.  John   T.    Carpenter,  18   yrs.    farmer,    Coatesville ;    rec't;    mus.    as    priv., 

May  10,  '64,  for  3  yrs ;  pr.  4th  corp.,  July  19,  '65 ;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Corp.  Taylor  Richardson,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Milltown;  mus.  as  priv.,  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,'64;  pr.  to  corp., 

Aug.  18,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug   28,  '65. 
Musician  Edward  R.   Eisenbeis,  23  yrs  ,  printer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug.  22 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  was  co.  and  regt.  clerk  during  most  of  term;  mus.  out 

Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Musician  John  M.  Kay,  29  yrs.,  musician,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 

3  yrs ;  tr   to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Musician  Willie  St.  John,  12  yrs.,  drummer,  Philadelphia;  first  entered  service  in 

band,  97th  P.  V.,  Oct.  24,  '61;  dis.  Aug.  31  and  re-mus.  as  musician  in 

Co.  A  same  date;  dis.  Aug.  22,  '64,  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  at 

exp.  of  term.     [Died  at  his  home,  in  Philadelphia,  of  consumption,  '73.] 
Teamster  Isaac    P.    Chandler,  26   yrs.,  wagoner,  Doe  Run;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Albright,  Henry,  32  yrs.,  miller,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  rec't  mus.  Sept. 

23,  '62,  for  3  yrs.,  accidentally  w'd  in  hand  at  Paris  Island,  S.  C  ,  Feb. 

24,  '63;  died  of  brain  fever,  May  19,  '64,  at  brig,  hosp.,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va., 
bu.  in  Poplar  Grove  Cem.,  Petersburg,  Va.,  div.  D,  sec.  H,  grave   115. 

Priv.  Bavington,  Jacob  H,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  April  10,  '64,  and  died  of  consumption,  April  20, 

'64,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.;  bu.  in  cem^  near  Old  Town. 
Priv.  Brower,  Joseph  G,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Honeybrook  ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  19,  '62. 
Priv.  Brubaker,  John;  from  sergt.  Co.  A,  Jan.  9,  '63;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  March 

4,  '63,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.     [Died  at  home.] 
Priv.  Cass,  George  W.,  23  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Willistown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Chandler,  Alexander  M.,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Doe  Run;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Clark,  James  Y.,  19  yrs.,  machinist,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


468  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Clark,  William  H.,  21  yrs.,  painter,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  16,   '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  mortally  w'd  by 

picket  firing,  near  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  29,  '64 ;  died 

of  w'ds,  at  field  hosp.,  18th  corps,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  30,  '64. 
Priv.  Cochran,  Lewis,  22  yrs.,  carpenter,'  Concordville,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 

22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Dampman,  John,  25  yrs,  miller,  St.  Mary's,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  22, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in 

action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.   16,  '64;   pris'r  until  Feb.,  '65; 

died  at  home,  March,  '65. 
Priv.  Day,  William,  41  yrs.,  shoemaker,  Phoenixville;  rec't;  mus.  Oct.   28,  '62, 

for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20, 

'64;  died  in  pris.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  1,  '64;  grave  4499. 
Priv.  Dowlin,  John  W.,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Guthrieville;   mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandiua,  Fla,,  April  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Eisenbeis,  Robert  M.,  22  yrs.,  morocco  finisher,  West  Chester;  rec't;  mus. 

Sept.  23,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd, 

Va,,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  w'ds  at  Hammond  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md., 

May  24,  '64. 
Priv.  Ford,  John  W.,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mis.  in  action  at 

Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64;  supposed  to  have  died  while  pris'r. 
Priv.  Given,  Joseph  D.,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Steeleville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  w'd  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  13,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Given,  William,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Steeleville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out 

Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Goodwin,  Ezra  G.,  18  yrs.,  carpenter,  East  Goshen;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  63.     [Re-entered 

the  service  in  '64.] 
Priv.  Gray,  Isaac  W.,  19  yrs.,  miller,  Embreeville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs  ; 

w'd  in  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va,,  Aug.  26,  '64; 

mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Re-entered  service  March,  '65, 

for  1  yr.,  in  Co.  F,  3d  Regt.  U.  S.  Vet.  Infty.  Corps,  Hancock's  div.;  pr. 

to  corp.  and  to  sergt.] 
Priv.  Griffith,  John  M.,  21  yrs.,  saddler,  East  Nottingham;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  a*  North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  10,  '62;  died  at 

home  July  IT,  '62. 
Priv.  Groff,  John  A,  28  yrs.,  teacher,  Coatesville;  rec't;  mus.  March  24,  '65,  for 

1    yr.;  was  first  assigned  to  Co.  I;  then  to  Co.  A;  mus.  out  with  co., 

Aug.  28,  '65.     [Had  previously  served  as  2d  lieut.,  Co.  A,  124th  P.  V., 

for  9  mos.;  also  as  2d  lieut,  Co.  P,  192d  P.  V.;  since  dis.  from  97th  P.  V.; 

was  elected  Recorder  of  Deeds  for  Chester  Co.,  Oct.  12,  '69,  for  3  yrs., 

and  fulfilled  the  duties  with  fidelity  and  satisfaction.] 
Priv.  Guest,  John,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Loag's  Corner;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  9,  '62,  for 

3  yrs.;  mortally  w'd  on  picket  line  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  4,  '64  ;  died 

of  w'ds  same  day  at  field  hosp.,  18th  corps. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    A. 

Priv.  Haines,  James  M.,  23  yrs  ,  paiater,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  Battery  E,  3d  U.  S.  Art'y,  Nov.  16,  '62. 
Priv.  Handwork,  Henry,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Loag's  Corner;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01, 

for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64  ; 

died  of  w'ds  at  Point  Lookout  Hosp.,  Md.,  June  11,  '64. 
Priv.  Hannum,  George  E.,  24  yrs,  farmer,  London  Brittain  ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01, 

for  3  yrs;  dis.    at    U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of 

term.     [Died  at  home,  Oct.  30,  '65.] 
Priv.  Hardcastle,  Joseph;  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  '64; 

died  of  w'ds  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hampton,  Va.,  Oct   8,  '04. 
Priv.  Hawkins,  George  W.,  21  yrs.  paper  maker,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Hollahan,  John  H.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Wilmington,  Del.;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  order  of  Sec.  of  War,  Xov.  7,  '02.     [Since  re-entered 

service  in  157th  P.  V.;  pr.  to  corp.;  mus.  out  with  regt.,  June  28,  '05.] 
Priv.  Humpton,   Robert  II.,   19  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Hutton,  Samuel,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Strickersville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  absent  sick  at  Haddington  Hosp.  Philadelphia,  from  May  30,  '04, 

until  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  James,  Jacob  B.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Embreeville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '01.     [Re-entered 

service  Aug.,  '62,  as  priv.,  Co.  G,  124th  P.  V.,  for  9  mos.;  pr.  to  corp.; 

dis.  with  regt.  May  10,  '63;  again  re-entered  the  3  yrs'.  service  Feb.,  '64, 

as  priv.,  Co.  M,  20th  Pa.  Cav.;  mus.  out  with  regt.  July  13,  '65.] 
Priv.  King,  Benjamin  F.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 

30,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  10,  '04,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '04;  w'd  in 

action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  '04;  died  of  w'ds 

at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  June  4,  '64. 
Priv  King,  Jeremiah,  20  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 

30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kirk,  Chanlee,  19  yrs.,  iron  moulder,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;   mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Re-entered  service  for 

1    yr.  in    9th    Regt.,  U.  S.  Vet.  Infty.,  Hancock's    1st  corps;   died    at 

home,  in  Philadelphia,  April,  '09.] 
Priv.  Lawrence,  Jacob,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Honeybrook;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  17,  '62. 
Priv.  Matthews,  George  P.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Thorndale;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Re-entered  service  March, 

'65,  for  1  yr.,  in  Co.  A,  3d  Regt.,  U.  S.  Vet.  Infty.  Hancock's  1st  corps. 
Priv.  McDonald,  John,  18  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Embreeville,  mus.  Aug.  30,  '01,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Re-entered  service  March 

11,  '65,  for  5  yrs.,  in  U.  S.  Marine  Corps;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.] 
Priv.  Mercer,  John,  22  yrs.,  produce  dealer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Mercer,  William,  24  yrs.,  iron  moulder,  Downingtown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs;  mus.  out,  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


470  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Miller,  Thomas  J.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Guthrieville ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs;  tr.  to  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  Feb.  29,  '64,  S.  0.  96,  War  Dept.  A.  G.  0. 
[After  dis.  enlisted  for  3  yrs.,  in  U.  S.  A.,  Nov.,  '65;  pr.  to  com.  sergt.  in 
3d  F.  S.  Cav.J 

Priv.  Minster,  George  M.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville ;  urns.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Re-entered  service,  April, 
'65,  for  1  yr.,  in  9th  Regt.  U.  S.  Yet.  Inf.,  Hancock's  1st  Corps.  Subse 
quently  enlisted  in  7th  Cav.  U.  S.  A.  for  3  yrs.] 

Priv.  Moore,  Abner,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Honeybrook;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
mus.  cut,  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Morris,  Joseph  P.,  31  yrs.,  farmer,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus  Aug.  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs;  mus  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  O'Neil,  Edward,  20  yrs.,  tallow  chandler,  "West  Chester  ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  15,  '62.  [Re- 
entered  3  yrs.  service,  Dec.  26,  '63,  in  Co.  E,  112th  P.  V.  (2d  Heavy 
Arty.);  mus.  out  with  co.  as  1st  sergt.,  Jan.  29,  '66.] 

Priv.  Parsons,  Thomas  C.,  22  yrs.,  carpenter,  Concordville,  Delaware  Co.;  mus. 
Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs;  tr.  to  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  Oct.  13,  '63,  G.  0. 
344,  War  Dept.  A.  G.  0.  [Pr.  to  corp.  and  sergt.;  dis.  Aug.  18,  '65.] 

Priv.  Pasmore,  Horace,  26  yrs.,  butcher,  Gap,  Lancaster  Co.,  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.,  died  of  chron.  diar.,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Nov.  18,  '63. 

Priv.  Pawling,  Isaac  M.,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Coatesville  ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Pharaoh,  Richard  E.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  and  capt'd  at 
Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  soon  ex.  and  tr.  to  Co.  A,  llth 
Regt.  Yet.  Res.  Corps.  [Dis.  July  22,  '65.] 

Priv.  Phillips,  Jonathan,  22  yrs.,  miller,  Chadsford;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  10,  '62  ;  re-enlisted  in  Co.  A, 
Aug.  13,  '62;  joined  co.  Sept.  25,  '62;  w'd  severely  in  right  thigh,  at 
Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64;  dis.  at  Chestnut  Hill 
Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  March  21,  '65.  [Died  of  w'ds  May  13,  '65.] 

Priv.  Pomroy,  George,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Kelly ville,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 
22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  absent,  sick  in  U.  S.  Hosp.,  from  May  3,  '64,  until  dis. 
Oct.,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Re-entered  service  Feb.  26,  '67,  in  Co.  K,  28th 
Infty.  U.  S.  A.] 

Priv.  Rennard,  Harry  C.,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Y alley ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64;  dis.  from  U.  S. 
Hosp.,  Newark,  N.  J.,  Aug.  26,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Ringler,  Thomas,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Perkiomen  Bridge,  Montgomery  Co.; 
mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1, 
'64;  w'd  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64 ;  ab 
sent  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  at  Annapolis,  Md.  at  mus.  out  of  regt.;  dis.  from 
Chestnut  Hill  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  9,  '65. 

Priv.  Robinson,  Joseph  P.,  20  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Ross,  Ephraim  L.,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  McWilliamstown;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


RECORD    AND    ROSTER   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    A.  471 

Priv.  Ruhi,  Augustus,  30  yrs.,  cooper,  Philadelphia;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  13,  '62,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  27,  '03.     [Died 

at  home,  Philadelphia,  Oct.  19,  '(59.] 
Priv.  Shoemaker,  Edwin,  24  yrs.,  irou  founder,  Coatesville  ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Smedley,  Thomas  P.,  27  yrs.,  house  painter,  Radnor,  Pelaware  Co.;  mus. 

Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Starts,  William    H.  II.,   19   yrs.,  farmer,  Pihvorthtown;   mus.   Aug.   22, 

'61,    for   3   yrs.;  w'd  in  action    at    Foster's    Place,   Bermuda   H'd,   Va., 

May  18,  '64;  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Newark,  N.  J.,  Aug.  26,  '64,  at  exp. 

of  term. 
Priv.  Steele,  Joseph,  35  yrs.,  stone  mason,  West  Whiteland,  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus,  March  16,  '(54,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed  in  action 

at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64. 
Priv.  Stqne,  Charles  A.,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Mortonville,  Chester  Co.;  rnus.  Aug.  22, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Stoops,  Jesse  C.  P.,  20  yrs.;  blacksmith,  New  London;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet ;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action 

at    Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64,  bu.  in  Nat.  Gem., 

City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  A,  div.  4,  grave  77. 
Priv.  Stott,  Joseph  EMward,   18   yrs.,  painter,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  oat  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Stott,  William  Sylvester,  24  yrs.,  iron  moulder,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug. 

22,  '61,  for  3  yrs  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Strode,  Jacob  C.,   19  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;    mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  '30,  64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Taggart,  George  L.,  18  yrs.,  clerk,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  pr.  to  qr.  mr.  sergt.,  July  1,  '63. 
Priv.  Talbot,  Jacob  B.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Honeybrook;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs. 

w'd  by  shell  at  Fort  Gregg,  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  10, '64;  mus.  out, 

Aug.  25,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Talley,  Hailman  P.,  18  yrs.,  clerk,  West   Chester;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Taylor,  David  M.,  21  yrs.,  clerk,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  22, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  "22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Thomas,  Joseph  L.,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Oxford;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Thompson,  George  W.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  London  Grove;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Thompson,  Lafayette,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  London  Grove;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Townsend,  Caleb,  32  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Ccatesville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  11,  '62.     [Re-entered 

service  during  emergency  in  '63.] 
Priv.  Valentine,  Joseph  E.,  18  yrs.,  news  agent,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug.  22, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Whiting,  Benjamin  F.,  24  yrs.,  cedar  cooper,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug.  22, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  15,  '62. 


•172  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Wilkinson,  Joseph  W.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Kimbleville ;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  19,  '62. 
Priv.  Winkler,   Joseph,  23   yrs.,  stone   mason,  Manayunk,    Philadelphia ;    mus. 

Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  "Wright,  Andrew  K.,  18  yrs.,  machinist,  Coatesville;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action,  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va,,  May  20,  '64; 

dis.  from  Broad  Street  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Aug.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Yarnall,  Yernon,  20  yrs,  farmer,  Doe  Run;  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mor.  w'd  while  on  duty 

in  sap,  near  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  midnight,  July  13,  '64,  and  died  within 

an  hour  at  field  hosp.,  18th  corps;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Va.,  sec. 

D,  div.  1,  grave  35. 
Priv.  Yocum,  Joseph  L.,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester,  mus.  Aug.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  died  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  April  3,  '62. 
Priv.  Young,  John  Sylvester,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia,  rec't;  mus.  Sept. 

25,  '62,  for  3  yrs.,  w'd  accidentally  in  hand,  July  30,  '63;   tr.  to  Vet. 

Res.  Corps,  Jan.  1,  '65. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Sergt.  John  Harman,  sub.;  Oct.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  corp.  May  10,  '65;  pr. 

to  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Nathaniel  Whitebread,  sub.,  Oct.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  corp.  May  10, 

'65;  dis.  at  F.  S.  Hosp.,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  June  7,  '65. 
Corp.  Lewis  Larrison,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  corp.  April  22,  '65; 

dis.  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  M.  Stevens,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  corp.  April  22, 

'65;  dis.  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Henry  A.  Wittich,  sub.,  Oct.  14,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  April  22, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Burton  G.  Bovee,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  May  10, 

'65  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Daniel  Philips,  sub.,  Oct.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  May  10,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Lewis  Marks,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  July  19,  '65  ; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Robert  M.  Glisan,  sub.,  Oct.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Aug.  18, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Henry  P.  Towns,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Aug.  18,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Musician  David  Fordice,  sub.,  Oct.  IT,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  Amos  Melott,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.,  deserted  July  31,  '65. 
Priv.  Anderson,  William,  rect.;  mus.  Sept.  17,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  11,  '65. 
Priv.  Anderson,  James  R.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Aubley,  Frederic,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Baker,  Julius,  sub.,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.,  deserted  Nov.  19,  '64. 
Priv.  Berchelt,  August,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  July  16,  '65,  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.,  Smithville,  N.  C.,  of  inflamation  of  lungs. 

Priv.  Bokear,  Thomas,  drafted,  June  4,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  19,  '65. 
Priv.  Bramhall,  Charles  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    A.  473 

Priv.  Brady,  James,  27  yrs.,  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  13,  '65,  for  1  jr.;  mus.  out  Aug. 

28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bumgardner,  Daniel  M.,  drafted,  Sept.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '05. 
Priv.  Burton,  John,  Jan.  10,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  22,  '65.     [Not  ou  mus.- 

out  roll.j 

Priv.  Carpenter,  James,  Jan.  26,  '65,  for  1  yr.  [Not  on  rnus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  Callin,  Julius  C.,  drafted,  March  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65.  [Not 

on  mus.-out  roll.] 

Priv.  Chapman,  Edmund,  sub.,  Oct.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Christman,  Uriah,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Clark,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  22,  '65. 
Priv.  Clevinger,  George  W.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65;  deserted  July  23,  '65. 
Priv.  Cosier,  Daniel  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Cummings,  Samuel,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Dailey,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Dalaba,  Henry,  drafted,  Sept,  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  8,  '65. 
Priv.  Donelson,  Levi,  drafted,  June  4,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Doty,  James  S.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Ellis,  Remor,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Emminhizer,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick,  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Evans,  James,  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  10,  '64,  for  2  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Foust,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Freeman.  John,  sub.,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Freeman,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Galloway,  Fletcher,  sub.,  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Grail',  Lewis,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.;  reduced  to  ranks 

April  7,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Graham,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Grier,  Andrew  J.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Grier,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Raleigh, 

X.  C.,  May  16,  '65. 

Priv.  Groveyear,  Allien,  drafted,  Sepl.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Hanman,  John  A.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hasman,  Jacob,  sub.,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs  ;  dis.  July  15,  '65. 
Friv.  Hay,  Jonathan,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Herrington,  Reuben,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  4,  '65. 
Priv.  Heyl,  Edmund,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  Aug.  1,  '65. 
Priv.  Hiert,  Charles,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;   died  of  w'ds  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  For 
tress  Monroe,  Ya.,  May  28,  '64. 

Priv.  Hinckel,  Samuel,  sub.,  Oct.  25,  '64,  for  I  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Hixen,  James,  sub.,  Oct.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug,  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hollingshead,  William  M.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug. 

28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hoop,  John  W.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Kief,  Daniel  M.,  rec't;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  11,  '65. 
Priv.  Lane,  Alfred;  no  record  except  deserted. 
Priv.  Larrison,  Lewis,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  23,  '65. 


474  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Lines,  Joseph  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Low,  John  J.,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Malone,  Patrick,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28.  '65. 

Priv.  Marshal],  William  H.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  McDonald,  Samuel,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  McCutcheon,  Hiram,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Feb.  17,  '65. 

Priv.  Mehaffey,  William  H  ,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
May  21,  '65  ;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  21. 

Priv.  Merrithew,  H.  H.,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fort  Schuyler,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  '65. 

Priv.  Miller,  Andrew,  sub.,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Foster's  Place, 
Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  18,  64;  tr.  to  1st  Regt.  Infty.  U.  S.  A.,  at  Nor 
folk,  Ya..  July  12,  '64, 

Priv.  Mootler,  Charles,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Morrison,  Isaiah,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Osbern,  Bradley,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Ott,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Perry,  George  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Peter,  Nathan,  sub.,  Oct.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Phelps,  Elisha,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Price,  George  W.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
July  5,  '65. 

Priv.  Prince,  James  L.,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Reed,  August,  sub.,  Oct.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Roberts,  Alfred  D.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  died,  on  U.  S.  hosp. 
boat  Champion,  Jan.  18,  '65. 

Priv.  Rorison,  Robert,  sub.,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sellen,  Frederick,  sub.,  Nov.  4,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  at  Green  Plains,  Ber 
muda  H'd,  Ya,,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Seneff,  John  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sill,  Charles  M.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sipes,  Conrad  J.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Snell,  Samuel,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Snyder,  Jacob,  sub.,  Oct.  12,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Snyder,  John  H.,  sub.,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Snyder,  Joseph  R.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sovell,  Nelson,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  19,  '65. 

Priv.  Stanton,  Gerdon  0.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  St.  Clair,  Michael  H.,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  w'd  in  action  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  by  order  of  Sec.  of  War,  May  3,  '65. 

Priv.  Stolford,  Edward,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  lyr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Strickler,  Harrison,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Trurap,  George  M.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Yansickle,  Ephraim,  sub.,  Aug.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Waltman,  Sylvanus,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Portsmouth 
Grove  Hosp.,  R.  I.,  March  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Waltman,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
May  23,  '65;  bu.  rec.  May  24,  '65,  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  18. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    B.  475 

Priv.  Walker,  William  II.,  drafted,  Oct.  14,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Warren,  David  R.,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Weis,  Philip,  sub.,  March  2,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  White,  Roswell,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Whitehead,  Henry,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Wright,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Youngkin,  George  A.,  drafted,  Sept,  30,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  die.  June  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Zimmerman,  Samuel,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '05. 

COMPANY   B,  CHESTER   COUNTY   GRAYS. 

Capt.  William  B.  McCoy,  42  yrs.,  marble  mason,  Parkesburg ;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '01, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  post,  inspector  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  from  Sept.,  '62 
until  April,  '03;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  for  disability  at  Seabrook  Island, 
S.  C.,  June  18,  '63.  [Died  at  home,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  24,  '00,  of  con 
sumption.] 

Capt.  Jonas  M.  C.  Savage,  28  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Cochranville;  mus.  as  1st  lieut. 
Aug.  30,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  capt.  June  23,  '03;  w'd  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  20,  '04 ;  dis.  on  acct.  of  w'ds,  by  order  of 
War  Dept.,  S.  0.  300,  Oct.  22,  '64. 

Capt.  Dallas  Crow,  18  yrs.,  carpenter,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30,  '01, 
for  3  yrs;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '02;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  May  1,  '03;  pr.  to  5th 
sergt.  Dec.  10,  '03;  ret:  re-mus.  March  15,  '04;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  May  1, 
'04;  w'd  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  July  30,  '04;  pr.  to  com.  sergt. 
Sept.  1,  '04;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  March  1,  '05;  pr.  to  capt.  April  4,  '05;  mus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '05. 

1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Skiles,  24  yrs.,  clerk,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.;  pr.  to  qr.  mr.  sergt,  and  tr.  to 
X.  C.  staff  Oct.  29,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Dec.  16,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 
June  23,  '63;  mus.  July  1,  '03;  w'd  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  10,  '04; 
dis.  at  Chapiu's  Farm,  Ya.,  by  order  of  War  Dept.,  S.  0.  384,  dated  War 
Dept.,  Adjt.  Gen.'s  Office,  Nov.  5,  '04,  to  take  effect  from  Aug.  30,  '64, 
date  of  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Lieut.  David  S.  Harry,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Cochranville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret ;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '64; 
pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Sept.  1,  '04;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '64  ;  w'd  in  action 
at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Feb.  1,  '05;  mus. 
April  5,  '05;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '05.  [Re-entered  service  as 
corp.  Co.  B,  3d  Cav.,  U.  S.  A.;  on  duty  at  Fort  Kearney,  Neb. 

2d  Lieut.  James  Hughes,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '01,  for  3 
yrs.;  res.  on  acct.  of  ill  health  and  hon.  dis.  at  Kdisto,  S.  C.,  May  1,  '62. 
[Re-entered  service  for  emergency,  Sept.  12,  '62,  as  capt.  Co.  B,  2d  Regt. 
Pa.  Militia,  and  again  June  20,  '63,  as  capt.  Co.  H,  3d  Pa.  Infty.;  mus. 
out  with  co.  July  26,  '63.] 

2d  Lieut.  John  Armstrong,  20  yrs.,  clerk,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '62;  res.  on  acct.  of  ill  health 
and  hon.  dis.,  Nov.  18,  '62,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  [Re-entered  service  in 
Co.  M,  21st  Pa.  Cav.;  pr.  to  com.  sergt.;  died,  July  11,  '64,  of  w'ds  rec'd 
in  action.] 


476  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

2d  Lieut.  Jacob  G.  Lowry,  24  yrs.,  painter,  Gap,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 

Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;   pr.  to  8th  corp.  March  30,  '61;    pr.  to  sergt. 

Dec.  1,  '61;  pr  to  3d  sergt.  May  26,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '63;  pr. 

to  1st  sergt.  Dec.  9,  '63;  vet;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64; 

pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Feb.  16,  '64;  mus.  May  26,  '64,  to  date  from  promotion; 

w'd  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64 ;  court-martialed  at 

Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  and  sentenced  by  S.  0.  132,  dated  War  Dept,  A.  G. 

0.,  March  18,  '65,  to  be  dishon.  dis.  the  service. 
2d  Lieut.  John  B.  Griffith,  18  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 

30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Jan.   1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15, 

'64;  w'd  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  Sept.   11,  '64;    pr.  to  sergt, 

Oct.  10,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  April  22,  '65;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
1st.  Sergt.  Hugh  M.  Button,  22  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Coehranville ;  mus.  Aug.  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.,  Nov.  30,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt. 

May  1,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  4,  '62.     [Re- 
entered  3  yrs.  service  as  corp.  in  Co.  M,  20th  Pa.  Cav.,  Feb.  1,  '64. 
1st  Sergt,  Henry  Kendig,  Jr.,  24  yrs.,  weaver,  Sadsburyville  ;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt.;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Nov.  30,  '61 ;  pr.  to  3d  sergt. 

May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  May  26,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '63;  dis. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
1st  Sergt.  Webster  A.  Nichols,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Coehranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '(51, 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  June  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Jan. 

1,  '63;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Nov.   1,  '63;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  1,  '64;  dis. 

Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Re-entered  service,  April  7,  '65,  in  Co.  I, 

98th  P.  V.;  dis.  with  co.  June  29,  '65.] 
1st  Sergt.  Andrew  M.  Strickland,   18   yrs.,  coachmaker,  Parkesburg;    mus.  as 

priv.,  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet ;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1, 

'64;  pr.  to  corp.  Nov.  2,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Feb.   1,  65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt. 

Aug.  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Sergt.  David  II.  Birney,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Coehranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt;  reduced  to  ranks  Nov.  30,  '61;  pr.  to  corp.  June  1,  '62; 

w'd  in  action,  at  Grimball's  Plantation,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62; 

pr.  to  4th  sergt,  Jan.  1,  '63;  died  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  of  "chron.  diar., 

Oct.  30,  '63. 
Sergt.  Nelson  P.  Boyer,  26  yrs.,  farmer,  Coehranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Nov.  30,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  May  1, 

'62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  26,  '62. 
Sergt  Elisha  Middleton,  29  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs;  ap.  1st  corp.;  pr.  to  5th  sergt  Nov.  30,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt. 

June  1,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  Nov.  4,  '62,  and  died  same  day  of  remit 
tent  fever,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.;  bu.  rec.  Nov.  4,  '62. 
Sergt.  Samuel  M'Cluskey,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Coehranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  May  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  June  1, 

'62;  reduced  to  ranks  Jan.  1,  '63;  vet.,  re-mus.  March  15,  '64;  to  date 

Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action,  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  pr. 

to   corp.  Feb.  1,  '65 ;   pr.  to    sergt  date   unknown ;   mus.  out  with    co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    B.  477 

Sergt.  Malehi  Ilappersett,  25  yrs.,  carpenter,  Waynesburg;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
11,  '('.I,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Dec.  5,  Y.I ;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Jan.  1,  'G3  ; 
dis.  Sept.  11,  '(54,  at  exp.  of  term. 

S"ergt.  Joseph  Haines,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  Jan.  1,  '63  ;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Dec. 
10,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  May  1,  '64;  uius. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  William  A.  Deisem,  31  yrs.,  painter,  Waynesburg;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  16, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  April  1,  '02;  w'd  in  action,  at  John's  Island, 
S.  C.,  June  7,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Jan.  1,  '63;  pr.  to  sergt.  May  1,  '64; 
dis.  Sept.  16,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  James  M.  Jackson  (alias  Cowan),  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  as  priv, 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.:  pr.  to  corp.  June  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  Jan.  1. 
'63;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  skirmish  at 
Woodstock  Mills,  Ga.,  Feb.  22,  '64;  w'd  in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va., 
June  6,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Xov.  25,  '64;  dis.,  on  surg.  cert.,  for  w'ds  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  July  10,  '05. 

Sergt.  Harvey  Highet,  30  yrs.,  carpenter,  Fulton  House,  Pa.;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Dec.,  10,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64, 
to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action,  at  Petersburg  Mine,  July  30,  '64; 
capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ex.  Dec.  24, 
'64;  rejoined  co.  April  6,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt.  April  22,  '65;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Gerhard  Ileeder,  32  yrs,  painter,  Waynesburg;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '02;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '63;  vet.; 
re-inus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '04;  w'd  in  action  and  capt'd  at 
Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  10,  '04;  par.  March  1,  '05;  ex.  April  10, 
'65;  rejoined  regt.  June  20,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '05;  mus.  out 
with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Taylor  Archer,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Parkesburg;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.  Dec.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Aug.  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Andrew  J.  Graham,  30  yrs.,  ambrotypist,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.;  w'd  accidentally,  in  right  hand,  Feb.  4,  ?02;  dis.  on 
surg.  cert.,  loss  of  index  finger,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  19,  '62. 

Corp.  John  De  Laugh,  33  yrs.,  soldier,  Lancaster;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61 ;  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  4th  corp.;  dishon.  dis.  and  drummed  out  of  camp  at  Edisto,  S.  C., 
May  26,  '62,  in  accordance  with  sentence  of  general  count-martial. 

Corp.  Robert  Ferguson,  26  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.;  died  of  typhus  fever  at  U.  S.  Gen.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  May  18,  '02. 

Corp.  John  T.  Boofter,  26  yrs.,  wagoner,  Steeleville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '63;  w'd  in  action,  at  Petersburg 
Mine,  July  30,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Joseph  Stott,  30  yrs.,  farmer,  Penningtonville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 
Jan.  1,  '64;  died  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Aug.  11,  '64, 
of  chron.  diar. 


478  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  Miles  Stewart  Strickland,  20  yrs.,  coach  maker,  Parkesburg,  mus.  as  priv. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Dec.  10,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15, 
'64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed,  while  on  picket,  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
Ya.,  July  4,  '64. 

Corp.  John  P.  Rock,  18  yrs.,  saddler,  Lancaster;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-inus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  July 
5,  '64;  killed  or  taken  prisoner  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29, 
'64 ;  never  heard  from. 

Corp.  Joseph  W.  Lilley,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.  Oct.  10,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  George  McNelly,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Pequea,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10, 
'62;  date  of  pr.  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1, 
'64;  mus.  out.  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  William  T.  Cooling,  34  yrs.,  sailor,  Charlestown,  Md.;  mus.  as  priv.,  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.,  April  1,  '65;  mus.  out.  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Robert  Bruce  Wallace,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64  ;  w'd  in 
action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Ya.,  July  30,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Ya.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ex.  Oct.  7,  '64;  rejoined  regt.  April  6, 
'65 ;  pr.  to  corp.  April  22,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  John  C.  Taggart,  22  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  as  priv.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.  April  23,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Musician  Benjamin  K.  Hutton,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  26,  '62.  [Re- 
entered  the  service  for  3  yrs.,  Feb.  18,  '64,  as  priv.  in  Co.  M,  20th 
Pa.  Cav.] 

Musician  William  J.  Irwin,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Georgetown,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Re-entered 
U.  S.  service  as  priv.  and  died  at  Richmond,  Ya.] 

Teamster  James  McNulty,  42  yrs.,  stage  driver,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  31,  '62. 

Priv.  Amnion,  William,  29  yrs.,  carpenter,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  May  27,  '63,  and  died  in  hosp.  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  June  26,  '63. 

Priv.  Bentley,  Joshua,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  10,  '62. 

Priv.  Best,  William  M.,  20  yrs.,  dentist,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  died  of  diptheria  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  19,  '62. 

Priv.  Chalfant,  Amor  N.,  20  yrs.,  coachmaker,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 

Priv.  Clark,  John,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 
28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   B.  479 

Priv.  Coatcs,  Charles  S.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Gum  Tree;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  1C,  '64;  pris'r  until 
ex.  Sept.  20,  64;  dis.  Nov.  20,  '('.4,  to  date  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Cosgrove,  Bernard,  32  yrs.,  bricklayer,  Lancaster;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yra  ;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Day,  Samuel  J.,  21  yrs.,  miller,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  (forehead  and  wrist)  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June 
10,  '62;  again  w'd  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  29,  '64;  dis. 
from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  2,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Detterline,  Hiram,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Cains.  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  absent 
sick  at  De-Camp  Hosp.  at  mus.  out.;  dis.  by  G.  0.  from  hosp.,  July 
19,  '65. 

Priv.  Dorlaud,  Robert  W.,  18  yrs.,  clerk,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  died  of  malarial 
fever,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Nov.  2,  '64. 

Priv.  Doubts,  George,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  64;  w'd  in 
action,  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug. 
28,  '65. 

Priv.  Drummouds,  Kersey  II.,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Pleasant  Grove;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action,  at  Darby 
Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  ab.  sick  in  U.  S.  Hosp.,  on  acct.  of  w'ds, 
dis.  from  Sickles  Hosp.  Alexandria,  Va.,  Aug.  23,  '65. 

Priv.  Dunn,  Henry,  26  yrs.,  carpenter,  Lyles,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action,  at  Jarnes  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62. 

Priv.  Edwards,  Jesse,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Intercourse,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  dis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Emerson,  Joseph  II.,  23  yrs.,  painter,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  English,  Benjamin,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus. 
March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  again  w'd  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan. 
15,  '65;  dis.  at  McDougal  Hosp.,  N.  Y.,  on  acct.  of  w'ds,  May  31,  '65; 
died  of  w'ds  at  home  Sept.  25,  '65. 

Priv.  English,  James,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  w'd  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out  in  post  hosp.  at 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  since  May  20,  '65. 

Priv.  Esrey,  Edmund,  19  yrs.,  paper  maker,  West  Philadelphia;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  accidentally  w'd  in  foot  Jan.  15,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March 
15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  with  loss  of  left  arm  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  acct,  of  w'ds  from  U.  S. 
Hosp.  April  1,  '65. 

Priv.  Ferris,  William,  32  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Nov. 
13,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  10,  '63 
[Re-entered  the  service  for  3  yrs.  in  cav.  and  was  killed.] 


480  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY- SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Galloway,  Samuel  F.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lewisville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  26,  '62.  [Re-enlisted 
in  186th  P.  V.,  in  Jan.,  '64;  ap.  chief  clerk  in  provost  marshal's  office, 
Philadelphia;  mus.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  15,  '65. ] 

Priv.  Garress,  Samuel  J.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re. mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed  while  on 
picket  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  29,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  Poplar  Grove, 
Ya.,  div.  D,  sec.  B,  grave  8. 

Priv.  Gracey,  Daniel,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  rc-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  of  starvation  while  a  prisoner  at 
Salisbury,  N.  C.,  Dec.  15,  '64;  bu.  rec.  Dec.  31,  '64. 

Priv.  Hapton,  William  II.,  31  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Londonderry;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  rnus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Re-enlisted  for  3 
yrs.,  in  U.  S.  Infty.] 

Priv.  Hardy,  George  G.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  died  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Oct.  1.3,  63. 

Priv.  Harkins,  Albert,  19  yrs.,  paper  maker,  Doe  Run;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  2,  '63. 

Priv.  Howe,  Nathan,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  10,  '62. 

Priv.  Humphrey,  Robert  W.,  20  yrs.,  stone  cutter,  Oakland  Mills;  rnus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya,,  May  20, 
'64;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Johnston,  Joseph,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg,;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Kenan,  James,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville ;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  typhus  fever,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  8,  '63. 

Priv.  Kendig,  Abraham,  28  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.,  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  action  at 
Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  H'd,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64;  died  of  w'ds,  at  Hamp 
ton  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  June  4,  '64. 

Priv.  Kerr,  Henry,  19  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Rockville;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
w'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Sept.  11,  '64,  at 
exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Lamping,  Frederick  D,  26  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Cains,  Lancester  Co.;  mus. 
Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1.  '64; 
raus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Lamping,  Henry  A.,  23  yrs.,  weaver,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  w'd  in  skir 
mish  at  Woodstock  Mills,  Ga.,  Feb.  22,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 
28,  '65. 

Priv.  Large,  William,  21  yrs.,  machinist,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  29,  '62. 

Priv.  Leaman,  Alfred  N.,  19  yrs.,  coachsmith,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  w'd  by 
shell  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  July  16,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out 
on  account  of  w'd«  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  at  Hampton,  Ya. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY    B.  481 

Priv.  Lemley,  Jacob  I).,  21  yrs.,  coachmakor,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Aug.  30, 
Mil,   for  3  yrs.;   supposed  to    have   been  discharged  in  accordance  with 

circular  36,  War  Dept.,  dated  May  2,  '64,  being  ab.  sick  in  hosp.  at  exp. 

of  term. 
Priv.  Linton,  Benjamin,  20  yrs.,  school  teacher,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Petersburg  Mine,  July  30,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  on  account  of  wds.  in  U. 

S.  Hosp.  at  Hampton,  Va.;  dis.  at  hosp.  to  date  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Martin,  Henry  W.f  21  yrs,  farnw,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs;  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus. 

March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McClure,  David,  32  yrs.,  farmer,  Mortonville,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  9, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  9,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McFurlan,  George,  25  yrs.,  plasterer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  supposed  to  be  dis.  Sept.  11,  '64,  per  circular  36,  War  Dept.,  dated 

May  2,  '64.  being  ab.  in  hosp.  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McGinness,  Joseph  D.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61.     [Re- 
enlisted  in  17th  Pa.  Cav.;  capt'd  and  ex.] 
Priv.  McGraw,  John,  26  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

deserted  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  21,  '61. 
Priv.  Melius,  Henry,  24  yrs.,  occupation  unknown,  Lancaster  Co.;  inus.  Aug.  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  from  Camp  Wayne,  Aug.  30,  '61. 
Priv.  Merulenhall,  Jonathan,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Waynesburg;  mus.  Aug,  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.   March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  wd.  in 

action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  July  29,  '64;  bu.  rec.  July  29,  '64, 
Priv.  Mews,  Hugh  D.,  32  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  pneumonia  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  11,  '63. 
Prfv.  Miles,  Samuel,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Cocbranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Moore,  Henry  W.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Steeleville ;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Sept.  9,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Moore,  Joseph  II.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv,  Musgrove,  Charles  B.,  19  yrs.,  calico  printer,  Gloucester,  X.  J.;  mus.  Aug. 

30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;   vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1.  '64;  wd.  in 

action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out 

on  acct.  of  wds.;  at  De-Camp  Hosp.,  N.  Y.,  since  May  20,  '64;  dis.   by 

G.  0.  June  19,  '65. 
Priv.    Pindell.    Robert    R.,    18   yrs.,    coach    maker,    Philadelphia;    mus.    Aug. 

30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   I,  '64;  wd. 

while  on  picket  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  20,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 
.    Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rees,  Albert  J.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
31 


482  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Renshaw,  William  S.,  30  yrs.,  cordvvainer,  Waynesburg;  mus.  Sept.  11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  27,  '63. 

[Reported  died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  Sept.  7,  '63.] 
Priv.  Richardson,  Samuel,  39  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Bart,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Aug. 

30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  11,  '62. 
Priv.  Riley,  John  C.,  18  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;   vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;   ab.  sick  at  mus. 

out;  since  May  16,  '64. 
Priv.  Russell,  Benjamin  F.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Sadsburyville ;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  vvd.  by  shell 

in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  17,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Sloyer,  Thomas,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Cochranville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Sullivan,  David,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

tr.    to   Yet.   Res.   Corps,  June  1,  '63,   by  G.  0.   235,  dated  War  Dept., 

A.  G.  0.,  June  1,  '63. 
Priv.  Supplee,  George  G.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Waynesburg;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  11,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Sweeney,  Joseph,  27  yrs.,  butcher,  West  Chester;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.;  May  10,  '63. 
Priv.  Vance,  Wesley,  18  yrs.,  miller,  Doe  Run;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  16,  '63.     [Re-enlisted  for 

emergency  June  16,  '63,  in  Co.  A,  Independent  Pa.  Cav.;  dis.  with  co. 

July  31,  '63;  again  re  entered  the  service  in  U.  S.  Navy  in  '64  and  served 

until  May,  '67,  when  dis.] 
Priv.  Wilson,  William  H.,  20  yrs.,  millwright,  Ercildoun ;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  died  of  remittent  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  26,  '62. 
Priv.  Wonderly,  George  W.,  31  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Ercildoun;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  with  loss  of  arm  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June 

10,  '62;  dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  28,  '62,  on  acct,  of  wds. 
Priv.  Worrall,  Theodore  A.,  18  yrs.,  soldier,  Russellville;  mus.  Aug.  30,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mu?.  out  Aug.  30,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  John  G.  Sanders,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;    capt'd   in   action  at 

Drury's  Bluff,  Va.,  May  16,  '64;  ex.  Nov.  20,  '64;  rejoined  co.  April  6, 

'65;  pr.  to  corp.  Aug.  1,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Edward  F.  Johnson,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  corp.  July  19,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  William  Asay  ;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  2,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28, 

'65.     [Re-enlisted  in  U.  S.  Army  for  5  yrs.] 
Musician  Azahel  R.  Vanleer,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ap.  musician  April 

22,  '65;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Adams,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  1st  Regt.  U.  S. 

Army  July  30,  '64.     [Was  a  deserter  from  rebel  army.] 
Priv.  Artley,  Joseph,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 
Priv.  Ashley,  Menzo  L.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Barrett,  George  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    B.  483 

Priv.  Balderson,  Jonathan,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  marked  on  roll  ab.  with 
out  leave;  $30  stopped  for  apprehension  and  $10  per  mo.  for  6  mos.,  G. 
0.  138,  Mil.  Gov.,  Alexandria,  Va.,  Dec.  3,  '04;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  'Oft. 

Priv.  Bartlemy,  Joseph,  drafted,  Oct.  15,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Baylor,  Jonathan,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Brown,  James,  drafted,  July  2,3,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  28,  '64. 

Priv.  Brown,  Richard,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  July  25,  '65. 

Priv.  Bruce,  Franklin,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Byrne,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv  Cashner,  Michael,  sub..  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Crawford,  Charles,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  8,  '65. 

Priv.  Crosby,  Edward,  drafted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  Mny  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Cummins,  Peter,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  March  6,  '65. 

Priv.  Dalys,  George,  drafted,  Oct.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Demoney,  David  H.,  drafted,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died,  of  typhoid  fever, 
at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  15,  '65. 

Priv.  Doyle,  Jacob  W.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Dukes,  George,  drafted,  July  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  July  30,  '64;  dis.  for  wds.  from  Philadelphia  Jan.  20,  '65. 

Priv.  Favre,  Charles,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Fehrer,  Andrew,  sub.,  Sept.  1,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Fisher,  George,  sub.,  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died,  at  De-Camp  Hosp.,  New 
York,  June  5,  '65;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I. 

Priv.  Fitzpatrick,  Joseph,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Forbes,  Alexander,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at 
Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ex.  Nov.  20,  '64;  rejoined  co.  Jan. 
3,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Foster,  Charles  T.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  25,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Fry,  William  F.,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Fuhs,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  tr.  to  2d  Regt.  U.  S.  A.  March 
12,  '65,  S.  O.,  398,  Dept.  Va.  and  N.  C., 

Priv.  Furgeson,  Patrick,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  2,  '64. 

Priv.  Garrett,  William  J.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  28,  '64. 

Priv.  Giffin,  Charles  H.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Graves,  Josiah,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gross,  John,  drafted,  Aug.  11,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gundrum,  Wilson,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Harris,  Halstead,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died,  at  Wilmington, 
N.  C.,  April  6,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat,  Cem.,  grave  999. 

Priv.  Hawkins,  Addison,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died,  of  typhoid  fever, 
at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hawkins,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  3,  '65. 

Priv.  Himent,  Jacob,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Holland,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '64.  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Jackson.  George  T.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Jones,  Stewart  B.,  sub.,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


484  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Kayleraan,  Casper,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Keeney,  Frederick  M.,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Keefer,  Joseph,  drafted,  Nov.  24,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65, 

Priv.  Kelly,  Daniel,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  3,  '64. 

Priv.  Kelly,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  on  picket  at  Foster's  Place, 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  19,  '64;  ab.  on  acct.  of  wds.  since  May  19,  '64; 

no  dis.  furnished. 

Priv.  Kester,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Killday,  Frauk,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  King,  Thomas,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Dept.  Southwest, 

June  13,  '64,  S.  O.  162,  Dept.  Va.  and  N.  C.;  dis.  at  exp.  of  term.     [Was 

a  captain  in  the  rebel  army;  deserted  and  carne  north.] 
Priv.  Lamphar,  William,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 
Priv   Lynch,  John,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  inns,  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Madder,  George,  drafted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64. 

Priv.  McCaffery,  John,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McCarter,  Cyrus,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;   capt'd   in  action   at 

Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  a  pris'r  at  Salisbury,  N.  C., 

Dec.  5,  '64. 
Priv.  McGill,  Lemuel,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  with  loss  of  leg  at 

Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ab.  since  at  Balfour  Hosp.,  Va.;  no 

dis.  furnished. 
Priv.  McLaughlin,    Archibald,    sub.,    Feb.  21,  '65,  for   3   yrs.;    mus.  out    Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Merton,  Robert,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mis.  in  action  at  Foster's 

Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  par.  and  ex.  July  16,  '65;  dis. 

Nov.  18,  '65. 
Priv.  Minnier,  John  II.,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 

June  5,  65. 

Priv.  Missuer,  John  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Priv.  Mowry,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  O'Neil,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  8,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  May  26,  '65. 
Priv.  Pepper,  Isaac  N.,  sub,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Peterson,  Henry  C.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at 

Drury's  Bluff,  Va.,  May  16,  '64  ;  ex.  Nov.  20,  '64;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out ;  at 

Annapolis,  Md.,  since  April  5,  '65. 

Priv.  Ray,  James;  rec't ;  mus.  April   15,  '64;  joined  co.,  May  2,  '64;  wd.  in  ac 
tion   at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda   Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  died  of  wds. 

Aug.  27,  '64. 

Priv.  Reeder,  William  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Reedy,  Jacob,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Reedy,  Simon,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rest,  Christian,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  raus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Roberts,  Francis  M.,  drafted,  July  30,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  8,  '65. 
Priv.  Roof,  William,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rouscher,  Jacob,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Scott,  Richard,  dratted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   B. 

Priv.  Schwabenthal,  Joseph,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  skirmish  at 
Woodstock  Mills,  Ga.,  Feb.  22,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg 
.Mine.  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  dis.  at  David's  Island  Hosp.,  N.  Y.  Harbor,  July 
3,  '65,  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

Priv.  Seitzor,  James  D.,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  raus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  So  ward,  Francis  M.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  July  6,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out;  at  De-Camp  Hosp.,  N.  Y., 
since  July  6,  '64. 

Priv.  Sheen,  Michael,  drafted,  Sept,  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Shiley,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  6,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  nctiou  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Shultz,  Joadicus,  drafted,  Aug.  11,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  .James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Sept.  4,  '64. 

Priv.  Smith,  Peter,  sub.,  Aug.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  3,  '65. 

Priv.  Squires,  Seymour  J.,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sussner,  Charles,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  I  yr.;  dis  June  24,  '65. 

Priv.  Trainer,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Vincenus,  Frederick,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Walker,  George,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus   out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Waygood,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Westman,  George  W.,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  8,  '65. 

Priv.  Williams,  George  W.,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  25,  '64;  deserted  Sept.  4,  '64. 

Priv.  Williams,  Henry,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Williams.  John  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Wilson,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  executed  for  desertion,  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  Feb.  7,  '64,  in  conformity  with  sentence  of  gen.  c^urt- 
martial.  approved  by  Maj.  Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore,  com'g  Dept.  South. 

Priv.  Wood,  Preceptor,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

COMPANY    C,  PAOLI    GUARDS. 

Capt.  Isaiah  Price,  39  yrs.,  dentist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
com.  maj.  April  3,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd., 
Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term;  pr.  to  brev. 
lieut.  col.  and  to  brev.  col.  March  6,  '67,  to  rank  from  Sept.  19,  '64. 

Capt.  Henry  W.  Carruthers,  25  yrs.,  lawyer,  \Vest  Chester;  first  entered  ser 
vice  as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61 ;  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus. 
as  1st  lieut.  Co.  C,  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap  adjt.  and  mus.  Oct.  31, 
'61;  pr.  to  capt.  April  3,  '64;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains, 
Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Chesapeake  Hosp.  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va.,  Aug.  22,  '64. 

Capt.  Leonard  R.  Thomas,  20  yrs.,  teacher,  Mortonville,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  as 
priv.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 
June  1,  '64;  tr.  to  non-com,  staff,  as  qr.-mr.  sergt.  Sept.  1,  ;64  ;  pr.  to  2d 
lieut.  Sept.  23,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Dec.  1,  '('4;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  brev.  capt.  March  13,  '65,  by  order  of 
War  Dept.,  for  gallantry  at  Fort  Fisher;  com.  capt.  March  15,  '65;  pr.  maj. 
to  June  1,  65;  not  mus.;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 


486  HISTORY    OF   THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Capt.  George  W.  Abel,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Gosben;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11,  61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  May  28,  '64;  pr.  to 

sergt.,  date  unknown;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  date  unknown;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 

Feb.   1,  '65;  com.  capt.  June  1,  '65;  not  mus.;  mus.  out  with  co.  as  1st 

lieut.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 
1st  Lieut.  Emmor  G.  Griffith,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  as  2d  lieut.  Sept. 

18,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Nov.  5,  '61;  res.  on  acct.  of  ill  health 

and  hon.  dis.  at  Edisto,  N.  C.,  April  30,  '62. 
1st  Lieut.  Francis  J.  Eachus,  25  yrs.,  sailor,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 

as  corp.  Co.  G,  2d  P.  Y.,  April  20,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  April  30,  '62;  mus.  out  Nov.  3,  '64,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
1st  Lieut.  Charles  Warren,  23  yrs.,  laborer,  England;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs., and  ap.  teamster;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,   '64;   pr.  to  corp.  and  to 

sergt.,  dates  unknown  ;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65; 

pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  May  26,  '65;  com.  1st  lieut.  June  1,  '65; 

not  mus.;  mus.  out  with  co.  as  2d  lieut.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
2d  Lieut.  William  Gardner,  23  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 

as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61  ;  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus.  Sept. 

11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  ap.  5th  sergt.  Sept.  18,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Nov.  4,  '61 ; 

died  of  malignant  fever  on  board  transport  Boston,  in  Warsaw  Sound,  Ga., 

Feb.  19,  '62. 
2d  Lieut.  Isaac  Smedley,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown:   first  entered  service  in  Co. 

E,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61:  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus.  Sept.   11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.   1st  sergt.  Sept,   18,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Feb.  19,  '62;  hon.  dis. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  May  1,  '63,  to  date  March  9,  '63. 

[Died  of  consumption  at  home,  Feb.  12,  '61.] 
2d  Lieut.  Henry  Kauffman,  Jr.,  23  yrs.  farmer,  Easttown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61; 

ap.  4th  corp.  Sept,   18,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp. 

Feb.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  June  5,  '62,  to 

rank  from  Feb.  19,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  lieut,  July  1,  '63;  mus.  out  Sept.  25,  '64, 

at  exp.  of  term. 
2d  Lieut.  Cyrus  B.  Showalter,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Berks  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt.  in 

'64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.   15,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt. 

July  1,  '65;  com.  2d  lieut.  June  1,  '65;  not  mus.;  mus.  out.  with  co.  as 

1st  sergt,  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Since  died.] 
1st  Sergt.  John  D.  Beaver,  28  yrs.,  carpenter,   Charlestown  Twp.;  mus.  Sept. 

11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt.  Sept.  18,  '61 ;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  April  30,  '62; 

was  color  sergt.  until  July  1,  '63,  when  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  to  date  March  9, 

'63;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Sergt.  Joseph  R.  Acker,  26  yrs.,  farmer,  Tredyffrin  Twp.;  mus.  Sept,  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.  Sept.  18,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  sergt,  April  30,  '61;  pr.  to 

2d  sergt.  July  1, '63;  killed  while  advancing  with  skirmish  line  at  Foster's 

Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  18,  '64. 
Sergt.  Gerritt  S.  Ilambleton,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  Sept,  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.   1st  corp.  Sept.   18,  '61;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Nov.  5,  '61;  died  of 

malarial  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  31,  '62. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY   C.  4S7 

Sergt.  Stephen  II.  Eachus,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  V.I, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Sept.  18,  '61 ;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61 ;  pr.  to  5th 
sergt.  Feb.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  April  30,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  July  1, 
'63;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  May  28,  '64;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Richard  B.  Moore,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Avondale;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.  Sept.  18,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  3d 
corp.  Feb.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  April 
30,  '62:  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  July  10,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  C.4;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  May  28,  '64;  dis.  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Isaac  A.  Cleaver,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Radnor,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  11. 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  Sept.  18,  '(51 ;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr. 
to  6th  corp.  Feb.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  corp. 
July  26,  '62;  pr.  5th  sergt.  July  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  May  29,  '64;  dis.  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.;  mus.  out  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  2,  '64, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  B.  Lundy  Kent,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Penn  Twp.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  eorp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  July  26. '62;  pr.  to  2d 
corp.  April  1,  '63;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  July  1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15, 
'64;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  May  28,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  July 
30,  '64  ;  dis.  for  pr.  being  com.  capt.  in  U.  S.  Col.  Troops  about  Aug.  30, 
'04,  and  mus.  as  capt.  Co.  E,  13th  Heavy  Arty.,  U.  S.  C.  T.,  April  17,  '65, 
S.  O.  258,  A.  G.  0.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Sergt.  Cyrus  M.  Davis,  25  yrs,  farmer,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64 ;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg 
Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  26,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28.  '65. 

Corp.  Joseph  M.  Lewis,  22  yrs.,  miller,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.  Sept.  18,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61  ;  pr.  to  1st 
corp.  Feb.  1,  '62;  died  of  malarial  fever,  on  transport  Marion,  March  1, 
'62  ;  bu.  at  sea  off  the  coast  of  Georgia. 

Corp.  Hibberd  Aitkin,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Goshen  ;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.  Sept.  18,  '61  ;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61 ;  pr.  to  4th 
corp.  Feb.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  April  30, 
'62;  died  at  home  July  16, .'62,  of  hemorrhage  of  lungs,  contracted  by 
exposure  at  Camp  Wayne  and  prevented  from  marching  with  regt. 

Corp.  Samuel  W.  Hawley,  21  yrs.,  clerk,  Willistovvn  ;  raus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  7tb  corp.;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61  ;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  Feb.  1, 
'62 ;  pr.  to  4tb  corp.  March  20,  '62 ;  pr.  to  sergt.  maj.  June  26,  '62. 

Corp.  John  Y.  McCarter,  30  yrs.,  paper  manufacturer,  Upper  Oxford  ;  mus.  as 
priv.  Sept.  17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61 ;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Feb. 
1,  '62  ;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  March  20,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  April  30,  '62;  pr. 
to  hosp.  steward  April  1,  '63. 

Corp  John  R.  Miller,  31  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  March  20,  '62  ;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  April  30,  '62 ;  pr. 
to  3d  corp.  April  1,  '63  ;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  July  1,  '63  ;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  May 
28,  '64  ;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  a  exp.  of  term. 


488  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  Davis  0.  Taylor,  19  yrs.,  machinist,  East  Bradford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
11,  'Cl,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.  April  30,  '62;  dis.  at  Hilton  Head-, 
S.  0.,  Jan.  18,  '64,  for  re-enlistment  in  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  G.  0.  154, 
War  Dept. 

Corp.  Robert  Holmes,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford  ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.  July  18,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C.,  Jan.  28,  '63.  [Died  at  home  March  24,  '63,  of  climatic  disease, 
contracted  in  service.] 

Corp.  Levis  T.  Beidler,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Lionville;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  21,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  July  18,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  April  1,  '63;  pr.  to 
3d  corp.  July  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya., 
May  20,  '64 ;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  May  28,  '64 ;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  Sept.  17,  '64, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Robert  B.  Wilson,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lewisville,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 
Sept,  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs,  ap.  8th  corp.  Aug.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  April  1, 
'63;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  July  1,  '63 ;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64  ;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress 
Monroe,  Ya.,  May  25,  '64. 

Corp  C.  Burleigh  Hambleton,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.  Jan.  22,  '63;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  July  1,  '63; 
wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  3d 
corp.  May  28,  '64;  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  and  mus. 
out  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  2,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Was  elected  Recorder 
of  Deeds  for  Chester  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  8,  '72,  for  3  yrs.  from  Jan.  1,  '73.] 

Corp.  Maris  Pierce,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  21,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Feb.  8,  '63;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  July  1,  '63;  pr.  to 
4th  corp.  May  28,  '64 ;  mus.  out  Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  M.  Davis  Thomas,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Paoli;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  22,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  was  musician  until  Aug.,  '62  ;  ap.  8th  corp.  April  1,  '63;  pr.  to  7th 
corp.  July  1,  '63 ;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd., 
Ya.,  May  18,  '64  ;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe, 
Ya.,  May  27,  '64. 

Corp.  Jesse  D.  Farra,  36  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  16, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  op.  8th  corp.  July  1,  '63;  pr.  to  5th  corp  May  28,  '64; 
mus.  out  Sept,  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  James  J.  Dewees,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Tredyffrin  Twp.;  inus.  as  priv.  Sept  11, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  April,  '64;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  May  29,  '64;  wd. 
in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Ya.,  June  6,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Ya.,  Aug.  16,  '65;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  John  Latch,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Willistown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  July  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Henry  H.  Stiteler,  22  yrs.,  painter,  Tredyffrin  Twp.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re. mus.  March  15,  '64;  wd.  by  shell  in  trenches 
near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  Aug.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  July  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Musician  Taylor  W.  Harper,  22  yrs  ,  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  suig.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Ya.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF  SERVICE;    COMPANY   C. 

Musician  William  Pound,    18   yrs ,  farmer,  Wayne    Co.,   X.  Y.;    mus.  as  priv. 

Sept.  23,  'Cl,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  musician  Jan.  1,  '62;  slightly  wd.  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Sept.  22,  '64, 

at  exp.  of  term.     [Remained  with  regt.  as  clerk  to  sutler  until  regt.  was 

mus.  out  in  '65.] 
Musician  James  J.  Wilson,  19  yrs.,  machinist,  England;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  musician,  vice  Thomas,  tr.  to  ranks,  Aug.,  '62;  ap. 

principal  musician;  tr.  to  non.-com.  statf,  June  20,  '64. 
Teamster  Charles  Warren.     [Promoted;  see  2d  lieut.] 
Priv.  Abel,  Joseph,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Agg,  William,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  iu  action  at  Green  Plains,   Bermuda   Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  again 

severely  in  arm  by  shell  in  trenches,  near  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  Aug.  29, 

'64;  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  March  20,  '65,  to  date  from  Sept.  17,  '64,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Beck,  Alexander.  19  yrs,  painter,  Doun,  Ireland;  mus.  Sept.   11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  tr.  to  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  Jan.  30,  '64.     [Had  been  on  detached 

service  iu  that  dept.  since  Feb.  6,  '62.] 
Priv.  Bence,  Joseph,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

tr.  to  Bat.  E,,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  Jan.  18,  '63. 
Priv.  Catren.  David  B.,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.   11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  1,  '63. 
Priv.  Channel,  Oliver,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Easttown  ;  mus.  Sept.    11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  oui  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv    Clark,  William  (1st),  22  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Ireland;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  Jan.  18,  '(53. 
Priv.  Clark,  William  (2d),  37  yrs.,  laborer,  Ireland;  rec't ;  raus.  Aug.  9,  '62,  for 

3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Sept.  25,  '62;  dis.  by  G.  0.  73,  Dept   X.  C.,  at  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  June  29,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Cobourn,  Abraham,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Cresswell,  William  J.,  25  yrs.;  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  22,  '62. 
Priv.  Dean,  John,  25  yrs.,  lime  burner,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.   1,  '6-'}.     [Killed, 

July  24,  '68,  by  cars  running  over  his  leg  while  driving  mule  team,  on 

Market  St.  R.  R.,  Philadelphia.] 
Priv.  Durnin,  Xicholas,  18  yrs..  farmer,  Ireland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mortally  wd.  on  picket  line,  near  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  June  27,  '64;  died 

within  a  few  hours,  at  field  hosp.  18th  corps;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point, 

Va.,  sec.  D,  dir.  4,  grave  38. 
Priv.  Eppright,  Franklin  T.,  19  yrs.,  miller,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61  ( 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp  of  term. 
Priv.  Griffith,  Elias  O.,  20  yrs.,  cordwaiuer,  Lionville;  mus.  Nov.  13,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  dis.  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.,  Jan.  11,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 


490  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Griffith,  Elwood,  22  yrs  ,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Grimesj  Anthony,  20  yrs.,  laborer,  Ireland;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Gunkle,  David  H.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mortally  wd.  by  shell  while  on  duty,  at  Fort  Wagner,  S.  C.,  Sept. 

10,  '63;  died  same  night  at  brig.  hosp. 
Priv.  Hickman,  Emmor  B.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Goshen;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Hoffman,  Francis,  18  yrs.,  farmer.  Marsh,  Chester  Co.;  mus.,  Sept.  16,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  23,  '63  ;  vet.;  re- 

mus.  March  15,  '64;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  June  24,  '65.     [Dis. 

Nov.  22,  '65,  to  date  Aug.  28,  '65.] 
Priv.  Hopkins,  Elliott,  23  yrs.,  lime  burner,  Derry,  Ireland  ;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  Jan.   18,  '63.     [Re-enlisted  in  bat. 

as  vet.  vol.,  and  pr.  to  sergt.;  served  until  end  of  term.] 
Priv.  Jeffries,  Thomas,  2t  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs; 

wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.;  May  18,  '64  ;  dis.  at 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Keeley,  Levi,  20  yrs  ,  miller,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.   11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  May  9,  '63. 
Priv.   Kinnard,  Asher   M.,  20  yrs.,  machinist,  East   Bradford;    mus,   Sept.   11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kinsey,  Charles  J.,  23  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.   Sept.  18, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Oct.  28,  ;63. 
Priv.  Kirkpatrick,  William,  20  yrs.,  mason,   Phoenixville ;    mus.  Sept.   11,  '61; 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  6,  '62. 
Priv.  Kitselman,  N.  Davis,  30  yrs.,  fanner,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kitts,  John  L.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Chadsford  ;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kugler,  Joseph,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Tredyffrin;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  1,  '63. 
Priv.  March,  Samuel  A.,  19  yrs.,  painter,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18, 

'64;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  2,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Mac  Intosh,  Jacob,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Charlestovvn;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  Oct.  28, '63. 
Priv.  McGinley,  Hugh,  31  yrs.,  farmer,  Donegal,  Ireland;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs  ;  mus.  out  Sept.  It,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McKinley,  Joseph  11.,  19  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  died  of  malarial  fever  on  board  transport  Boston,  in  Warsaw  Sound, 

Ga.,  Feb.  1,  '62. 
Priv.  McLane,  Wesley,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Octorara,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Sept. 

It,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  20,  '62. 

[Since  died.] 

Priv.  McLane,  William  G.,  25  yrs.,  miller,  Octorara,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Sept. 
It,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  Nov.  8,  '63. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    C.  491 

Priv.  Meodenhal],  Kdward,  21  yrs.,  farmer,   Parkerville;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  severely  wd.  (reported  killed)  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda 

lid..  Va.,  May  20,  'G4;  recovered  and  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.  Philadelphia, 

Sept.  27,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Montgomery.  Michael  W.,  19  yrs.;  farmer,  New  London;  mus.  Sept.  11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  mus. 

out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Morgan,  William,  28  yrs.,  miller,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30.  '64;  mus.  out  Sept.  17, 

'64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Morris,  Mordecai  E.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Loag's  Corner;  mus.  Sept.  17,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto,  S.  C.,  May  11.  '62.     [Re-entered 

service  in  Co.  A,  128th  P.  V.,  July,  '62,  for  9  mos.;  again  re-enlisted  for 

emergency  July  1,  '63,  and  served  as  2d  lieut.,  Co.  F,  42d  Pa.  Militia; 

dis.  with  co.  Aug.  11,  '63;  again  entered  the  service  Oct.  29,  '64,  as  2d 

lieut.,  Co.  M,  198th  P.  V.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.;  mus.  out  with  co.  June  4,  '65.] 
Priv.  Myers,  Norris  P.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Unionville;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  the  advance  upon  Petersburg  Heights,  Va.,  June  15,  '64;  mus.  out 

Sept,  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Paschall,  Isaac,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Tredyffrin  Twp.;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  July  26,  '(53. 
Priv.  Pierce,  Lewis  C.,  20  yrs.,  miller,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept,  18,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  heart  disease  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  July  2,  '62;  body  removed 

to  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  and  bu.  in  cem.  outside  intrenchments. 
Priv.  Press,  James,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Stanton,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  dysentery  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  6,  '63. 
Priv.  Quay,  Ambrose,  19  yrs.,  saddler,  Kimberton;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Vo.,  May  20,  '64;  again  in 

trenches    near    Petersburg,  Va.,  Sept,  5,  '64;   dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.  at 

Fortress  Monroe,  Va..  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Ruth,  David  N.,   18  yrs.,  carpenter,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  22,  '62. 
Priv.  Shaw,  Joseph  A.,  19  yrs  ,  farmer,  London  Grove;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  A,  div.  4,  grave  140. 
Priv.  Shingle,  William,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Loag's  Corner;  mus.  Sept.  17,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  at  West  Chester  Nov.  5,  '61,  on  writ  of  hab.  corp.  issued  by 

Judge  William  Wollerton,  on  the  ground  of  minority. 
Priv.  Showalter,  Edward  R.,  18  yrs.,  railroader,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  17,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  27,  '63.     [Re 
ported  to  have  died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  Sept.  9,  '63.] 
Priv.  Speakmau,  William  H.f  19  yrs.,  carpenter,  Westtown;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out 

Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Still,  John  J.,  19  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Kimberton;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June   18,  '64;  again   wd.  in 

trenches  near  same  place  July  2,  '64;  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.  Sept.  17,  '64, 

at  exp.  of  term. 


492  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.   Thomas,  William  D.,  22  yrs.,  plasterer,  East  Wbiteland  ;  mus.  Sept.   11, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20, 

'64;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  terra. 
Priv.  Thornbury,  Lewis,  17  yrs.,  farmer,  Marshalton;  mus.   Sept.  21, '61;  wd. 

in  trenches,  with  loss  of  right  leg,  near  Petersburg,  Va,,  July  25,  '64; 

suffered  amputation  three  times  in  consequence  of  gangrene;  died  of  wds. 

at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va,,  Sept.  14,  '64.     [Slight  in  form 

but  capable  of  great  endurance,  both  on  duty  and  in  bravely  suffering.] 
Priv.  Thornbury,  Taylor,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Marshalton;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;    died  of  chron.  diarr.   at   Convalescent   Camp,  St.    Helena,   S.  C., 

Aug.  8,  '63. 
Priv.  Yan  Meter,  Joel,  W.,  31  yrs.,  paper  hanger,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept,  11, 

'61,  for   3   yrs.;   dis.  on    surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,    Dec. 

16,  '63. 
Priv.  Yickers,  Eugene,  20  yrs;  machinist,  East  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  McClellan  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  29,  '64, 

at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wagner,  Charles,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Bavaria,  Germany;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches,  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  July  27,  '64;  mus.  out 

Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Walker,  Ezekiel,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  17,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Aug.  21,  '62. 
Priv.  Walton,  George  W.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  , 

Priv.  Weidner,  Henry  B.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Charlestown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wei  man,  Henry,   18  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wentz,  Charles  K.,   19  yrs.,  paper  maker,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.   17, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Morris  Island,  Sept.  18,  '63. 
Priv.  Wetherill,  Joseph,  26  yrs.,  c-oachmaker,  Chester,  Delaware  Co.;  rec't;  mus. 

March   10,  '62;  joined  co.  June  5,  '62;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Ya.,  sec. 

F,  div.  1,  grave  152. 
Priv.  Whistler,  William,  31  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Williams,  Josiah  G.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  oxp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wilson,  Robert  A.,  19  yrs.,  shoemaker,  Levvisville;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wood,  Mahlon,  26  yrs.,  potter,  Kennett  Square;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermudto,  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis. 

at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Sept,  11,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Woodward,  Samuel,  35  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept,  21,  61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  20,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Sergt.  Albert  Lesczzynski,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for   I  yr.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  sergt ; 

no  date  given;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   C.  493 

Sergt.  Casper  Slabowski,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  f>r  1  yr.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  sergt.;  no 
date  given  ;  mus  out.  Aug.  28.  '65.     [Said  to  b&  a  major  in  Italian  Army 
on  furlough  for  1  yr.  to  enter  Union  Army.] 
Sergt.  William  Hammill,  drafted,  July  24,  '64,  for  3  yrs  ;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp.; 

no  date  given  ;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  1,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Daniel  W.  Clemmer,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  from  priv.  to 

corp.;  no  date  given;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Joseph  Brown  ;  drafted.  Oct.  27,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp.;  no 

date  given  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Thomas  H.  Bastian,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp. 

April  1,  '65;  dis.  June  23,  '65. 
Corp.  Cornelius  Hulsapple,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '64,  for  2  yrs.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp. 

April  1,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  George  J.  Switzer,  drafted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp. 

June  26,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  James  II.  Quimby,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp. 

April  1,  '65;  dis.  June  5,  '65. 
Corp.  Israel  Rodgers,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp., 

date  not  given;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Thomas  Clark,  drafted,  July  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  corp., 

date  not  given ;  killed  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '05. 
Musician  John  Smearmau.  sub.,  Oct.  4,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  from  priv.  to  musician 

June  1,  '(15;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Avers,  William  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  post  hosp., 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  16,  '65. 

Priv.' Back,  Jacob,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Barman,  George,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  1,  '65. 
Priv.  Barr,  Joseph,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  June  17,  '65. 

Priv.  Beiderman,  Robert,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Bradley.  Patrick,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 

Petersburg,  Va.,  July  10,  '64;  was  corp.  from  April  22,  '65;  reduced  to 

priv.  June  25,  '65,  for  desertion  ;  restored  to  duty  without  trial  by  order 

of  Maj.  Gen.  A.  Ames,  with  approval  of  com.  of  10th  corps;  mus.  out 

Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bradlick.  William,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  14,  '65. 
Priv.  Bratz,  Gottfried,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Bravo,  Charles,  drafted.  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  22,  '65. 
Priv.  Brookens,  John  A.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Brown,  Edward,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Brown,  George,  drafted,  Oct.   15,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;   wd.    in   trenches,  near 

Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Brown,  Henry  M.,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp., 

New  York,  Aug.  23,  '64;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I. 
Priv.  Brown,  Joseph,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65.  for  1  yr.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  65. 
Priv.  Butler,  Harris  O.,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug   28,  '65. 


494  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Carney,  Michael,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '(55. 
Priv.  Chase,  Simeon,  sub.,  Oct  21,  '64,  for   1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 

N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  New  York,  April  16, 

'65;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L  I. 

Priv.  Cole,  Clinton;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  16,  '65. 
Priv.  Cotterman,  Adam,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Friv.  Coulter,  Lewis  B.;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  20,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Cunningham,  Joseph,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Davis,  Jonathan,  drafted,  Feb   4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  9,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  26. 
Priv  Davison,  Charles  W.,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  May  30,  '65. 
Priv.  Deison,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Va.,  on 

acct.  of  w'ds,  June  17,  '65. 
Priv.  Devons,  John  A.  L.,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64.     [Never  heard  from.] 
Priv*.  Dingee,  Joseph  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Eckman,  Samuel  J.,  drafted,  Feb.  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Eitel,  John  J.,  sub.,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Fillinger,  Charles,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Fix,  Daniel,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Fix,  John,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  14,  '65. 
Priv.  Flyght,  Edward,  drafted,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  New- 

bern,  N.  C.,  May  24,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  70,  grave  30. 
Priv.  Fowler,  Robert  J.,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Fox,  Joseph,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  at  time  of  draft; 

retaken;  $30  stopped  for  apprehension;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Glass,  Samuel,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65. 
Priv.  Glunt,  John  V.,  drafted,  Nov.  14.  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Granger,  Frederick,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Gross,  Christian,  drafted,  Oct.  27,  '63,  for  3  yrs ;  deserted  July  14,  '64. 
Priv.  Haines,  Elijah,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Harris,  John  O.,  drafted,  Nov.  6,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Hartman,  Christian,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Heindson,  John  D,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hitchcock,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever 

at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  31,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat,  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  25. 
Priv.  Hobman,  George,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Holmes,  Robert,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Hotchkiss,  Charles  E,  sub.,  Oct.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Johnson,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Johnson,  Jesse  F.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  2,  '65. 
Priv.  Johnson  Squire,  drafted,  Oct.  26,   '64,  for  1  yr.;  killed  in  action  at  Fort 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Jones,  Castleton  B.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   C. 

Priv.  Jones,  John  T.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '(55,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  July  15,  65. 
Priv.  Jones,  Samuel  R,,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '(15. 
Priv.  Juriscb,  Charles  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '(54,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Keys,  Alexander;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  14,  '65;  ab.  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Keys,  John;  rec/t;  mus.  Feb.  14,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
I'riv.  Kirk,  William  II.,  drafted.  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs  ;  dis.  June  21,  65. 
Priv.  Lamb,  Edward  It.,  drafted,  Sept.  2l7  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lott,  Jesse  C.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  trenches,  at  Ber 
muda  H'd,  Ya.,  June  21,  '64;  deserted  Aug.  21,  '64. 
Priv.  McClellan,  Benjamin;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d 

U.  S.  Arty.,  June  24,  '65.     [Dis.  Nov.  22,  '65,  to  date  Aug.  30,  '65.] 
Priv.  McDonald,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  w'd  in  action  at  Petersburg 

Mine,  Ya.,  July  30,  '64;  ab.  since  in  U.  S.  IIosp. 
Priv.  McKenna,  Lorenzo,  sub.,  Oct.  10,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  17,  '65. 
Priv.  McSwain,  Asher,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Miller,  Chandler,  drafted,  Oct.  27,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  by  S.  0.  War  Dept. 

Feb.  2,  '64,  being  under  18  yrs.  of  age. 
Priv.  Miller,  John,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;   died  at   City  Point,  Va., 

June  26,  '64. 
Priv.  Miller,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1    yr.;    wd.  ia  action  at  Fort 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  May  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Mitchel,  James  J.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Moandoafer,  Andrew,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Moore,  William,  drafted,  Jan.   13,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  July  5,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cera.,  sec.  20,  grave  43. 
Priv.  Myers,  David  C.,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.:  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Persun,  Nathan,  drafted,  Dec.  8,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  30,  '65. 
Priv.  Pogue,  Solomon,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Reed,  Christian,  drafted,  Dec.  8,  '64,  for  I  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Reed,  Lutlier,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Remmers,  Henry,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  at  mus.  out  on  furlough. 
Priv.  Riley,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  3,  '64. 
Priv.  Ritchie,  James  W.,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  June  30,  '65. 
Priv.  Rosencrantz,  Ziba,  drafted,  Sept.  12,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Seeman,  John,  sub,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Seigle,  Solomon,  sub.,  Sept.  15,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Selle,  George,  drafted,  Jan.  19,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Shaffer,  Mandin  J.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65;  joined  co.  March  30,  '65;  mus.  out 

Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Simmons,  John,  sub.,  March  1,  '05.  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Simmerson,  William  T.,  drafted,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Sleek,  Thomas  J.,  drafted,  May  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  George,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  joined  co.  March  30,  '65;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  John,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  joined  co.  March  30,  '65;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  Richard  T.,  Bub.,  June  7,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 


496  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Smith,  Samuel,  drafted,  Oct.  27,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  by  grape  shot  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya,,  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Smith,  William  H.,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.:  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  Dec.  28,  '64. 

Priv.  Steinmetz,  Leonard,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis  June  9,  '65. 

Priv.  Strouse,  Lewis,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Toliver,  Philip;  rec't;  mus.  Jan*  11,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  April  16,  '65. 

Priv.  Vanlew,  George  W.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Walborn,  Daniel,  drafted,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Watts,  Philip,  drafted,  Feb.  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Weed,  Edwin,  drafted,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Welch,  Charles,  drafted,  Sept.  12,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  June  11,  '65. 

Priv.  Wilkins,  Charles,  drafted,  Oct.,  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  March  12,  '64. 

Priv.  Wilson,  Henry;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  12,  '65. 

Priv.  Woodcock,  Jesse,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Worth,  Charles  C  ;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65, 

COMPANY  D,  CONCORDVILLE  RIFLES. 

Capt.  William  !•>.  Mendenhall,  32  yrs.,  printer,  Delaware  Co.;  volunteered  in 
Mexican  War;  served  as  a  priv.  in  the  1st  Del.  Yols.  in  3  mos.  ser 
vice;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Ber 
muda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Peterburg  Mine,  Ya., 
July  30,  '64;  hon.  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Annapolis,  Md.,  Oct.  4,  '64,  on 
a<.-ct.  of  wds.  and  exp.  of  term. 

Capt.  Henry  Odiorne,  23  yrs.,  photographer,  Ivy  Mills,  Delaware  Co.;  first  en 
tered  service  as  priv.  in  Co.  D,  19th  P.  Y.,  April  27,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus. 
Sept.  6,  '61.  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut,  July 
80,  '63;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  June  1,  '64;  pr.  to  capt.  Dec.  3,  '64;  not  mus.; 
killed  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65. 

Capt.  Isaac  B.  Taylor,  26  yrs.,  blacksmith,  East  Whiteland ;  first  entered  service 
as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  21,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt.;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  July  30,  '63  ;  vet.;  re-mus. 
March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Ber 
muda  Hd.,  Ya  ,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.,  to  rank  from  June  1,  '64; 
ap.  to  2d  lieut.  Sept.  6,  '64,  to  rank  from  June  1,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 
Dec.  3,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15, '65;  pr. 
to  capt.  Feb  15,  '65  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28.  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  George  W.  Williams,  31  yrs.,  carpenter,  Crozierville  ;  mus.  Sept.  19, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  disabled  by  a  fall  while  on  duty  at  night,  at  Seabrook  Is 
land,  June,  '63;  res.  and  hon.  dis,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  July  29,  '63. 
[Re-entered  service  for  100  days  emergency,  July  25,  '64,  as  capt.  Co.  D. 
197th  P.  Y.] 

1st  Lieut.  Isaac  Fawkes,  32  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Dilworthtown ;  first  entered  ser 
vice  as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  Y.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  2d  lieut. 
Sept,  20,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  July  30,  '63;  mus.  Nov.  16,  '63; 
killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  bu.  in 
Nat.  Gem.,  City  Point,  Ya.,  sec.  A,  div.  1,  grave  88. 


ROSTER  AND  RECORD  OF  SERVICE;  COMPANY  D.       497 

1st  Lieut.  David  W.  Odiorne,  18  yrs.,  photographer,  Ivy  Mills,  Delaware  Co.; 
first  entered  service  as  priv.  in  Co.  D,  19th  P.  V.,  April  27,  '(11,  for 
3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr. 
to  5th  sergt.  July  30,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Dec. 
1,  '63;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Sept.  6,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Sept.  19,  '64,  to 
rank  from  July  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64; 
pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Dec.  5,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Feb.  15,  '65;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Hannum,  24  yrs.,  carpenter,  Concordville;  mus.  Sept.  6, 
'01,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  July  30,  '63; 
pr.  to  2d  lieut.  June  1,  '64;  not  mus.;  pr.  not  accepted  ;  mus.  out  as  1st 
sergt.  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

2d  Lieut.  John  W.  Brooks,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith.  Concordville;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8tb  corp.  Oct.  2,  '62,  for  faithful  service;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 
Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Sept.  6,  '64;  pr.  to 
1st  sergt.  Dec.  5,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Feb.  15,  '65,  for  gallant  service  at 
Fort  Fisher,  X.  C.;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  Philip  E.  Hannum,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  6,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  3,  '63  ;  wd.  in  action 
at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Sept.  6, 
'64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Dec.  5,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C., 
Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Feb.  15,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28, 
'65.  ["Served  continuously  with  co.  in  all  engagements;  was  gallant 
and  brave." — Capt.  M.] 

Sergt.  Samuel  McBride,  29  yrs.,  cotton  manufacturer,  Knowlton,  Delaware  Co.; 
mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '61 ;  pr.  to  2d  sergt. 
July  30,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20, 
'fi4;  mus.  out  Sept.  7,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  John  E.  Davis,  25  yrs.,  dentist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  July  30,  '63;  mus. 
out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Re-entered  service  in  U.  S.  Marine 
Corps.] 

Sergt.  Stephen  W.  Cloud,  23  yrs.,  carpenter,  Wilmington,  Del.;  mus.  Sept. 
6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61  ;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  July  30, 
'63;  pr.  to  sergt.  Nov.  9,  '63;  ab.  sick  at  exp.  of  term,  Sept.  6,  '64; 
supposed  dis.  according  to  circular  36,  War  Dept.;  orders  received  to 
drop  name  from  rolls.  ["Was  a  good  soldier;  always  at  his  post." — 
Capt.  M.] 

Sergt.  David  Morrow,  Jr.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Glen  Mills,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  as 
priv.  Sept,  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  July  12,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March 
15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd  , 
Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Oct.  10,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28, 
'65.  ["Was  a  faithful  soldier."— Capt.  M.] 

Sergt.  Alfred  Young,  19  yrs.,  printer,  Chelsea,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  3,  '63;  pr.  to 
sergt.  Sept.  6,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  a  brave, 
faithful  and  fearless  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

3? 


498  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Sergt.  Isaac  Sapp,  38  yrs.,  cotton  spinner,  Concord;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  6,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  wd.  with  picket  boat  in  Light  House  Creek,  Morris  Island, 
S.  C.,  Aug.  4,  '63  ;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63 ;  wd.  in 
action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  again  wd.  in 
action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64  ;  again  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  4,  '64,  and  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va. 
Aug.  16,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Oct.  10,  '64;  died  of  chrou.  diarr.  at  IT.  S., 
Hosp.,  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  March  12,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point, 
Va.,  sec.  A,  div.  3,  grave  36.  ["  Distinguished  for  courage,  coolness  and 
fidelity  to  an  eminent  degree." — Capt.  M.] 

Sergt.  James  A.  Allen,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Avondale,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  6, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  reduced  to  ranks  Oct.  2,  '62; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10,  '64; 
pr.  to  sergt.  Dec.  5,  '64:  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  a 
steady  good  scldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Sergt.  William  McCarty,  25  yrs ,  coal  miner,  Minersville,  Schuylkill  Co., 
mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  6th  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  reduced  to  ranks 
July  1,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  inaction 
at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10,  '64,  and  ap. 
color  guard ;  brought  the  colors  from  the  field  of  action  at  Darby  Town 
Road,  Va.,  Oct.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Dec.  5,  '64,  and  ap.  color  sergt.  for 
gallantry  before  Richmond;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15, 
'65,  and  received  hon.  notice  in  order  from  Hd.-Qrs.  War  Dept.  for  dis 
tinguished  bravery  in  that  action  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Wilbur  F.  Flannery,  20  yrs.,  clerk,  Village  Green;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  July  30,  '63;  mus.  out 
Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Was  OD  detached  service  at  dept.  hd.- 
qrs.  during  most  of  term.] 

Corp.  William  H.  Sugden,  25  yrs.,  harness  maker,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  July  30,  '63;  mus.  out  Sept.  30, 
'64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  Robert  Fairlamb,  25  yrs.;  carpenter,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  8th  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to  6th  corp. 
July  30,  '63;  mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Was  a  faithful, 
reliable  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Corp.  Daniel  H.  Freas,  28  yrs.;  farmer,  White  Marsh,  Montgomery  Co.;  nius.  as 
priv.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  cerp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to  7th  corp. 
July  30,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  leg  amputated; 
died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  May  23,  '64.  ["Was 
faithful  and  brave  to  a  fault." — Capt.  M.] 

Corp.  Isaac  N.  Stout,  20  yrs.;  wheelwright,  Lower  Merion,  Montgomery  Co.; 
mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '62  ["for  con 
stant  good  conduct." — Capt.  M.];  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 
Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd  ,  Va.,  May  18, 
'64;  at  Hampton  Hosp.  for  1  yr.;  tr.  to  McClellan  Hosp.,  Philadelphia; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  and  died  of  wds.  in  '65.  ["Noted  for  cleanliness, 
faithfulness  and  courage  ;  beloved  by  officers  and  men." — Capt.  M.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY   D.  499 

Corp.  Philip  Gleave,  18  yrs.,  brewer,  Parkosburg,  Chester  Co.;   mus.  as  priv. 

Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-inus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63; 

pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  Goodwin,  18  yrs.,  weaver,  Rockdale;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10,  '64; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     ["Was  distinguished  for  unusual  good 

conduct." — Capt.  M.] 
Corp.  Jacob  H.  Hall,  24  yrs.,  farmer.  Concord;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  April   1,  '65; 

dis.  Aug.  11,  '65.     ["Was  a  faithful  and  reliable  soldier."— Capt.  M.] 
Corp.  Hamilton  Humes,  18  yrs.,  factoryman,  Bancroft  Mills;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 

23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  pr.  to 

corp.  April   1,  '65;  dis.  by  G.  0.  June  24,  '65,  to  re-enlist  in  Co.  E,  3d 

U.  S.  Arty. 
Corp.  Thomas  Kelly,  19  yrs.,  factoryman,  Lenni;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  24,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet-;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  overstayed  vet. 

furlough  from  May  10  to  16,  '64;  $30  stopped  from  pay  for  apprehension  : 

restored  to  duty  without  trial  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Foster;  pr.  to  corp. 

April  22,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     ["Served  faithfully  until 

the  close  of  the  war." — Capt.  M.] 
Corp.  Thomas  Rutter,  19  yrs.,  carder,  Upland;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.   1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 

Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  April  23,  '65  ;  mus.  out  with 

co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Re-enlisted  in  U.  S.  A.,  '65.]     ["Distinguished  for 

good  conduct  in  battle  and  in  camp." — Capt.  M.] 
Corp.  John  W.  Carter,   19  yrs.,  farmer,  Thornbury,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Sept. 

16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in 

action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  again  wd.  in 

action  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  June  1,  '65; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     [A  quiet,  faithful  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 
Corp.  John  Jordan,  19  yrs.,  cotton  twister,  Brandywine  Village,  Del.;  mus.  as 

priv.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1, 

'63;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64; 

again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Aug. 

1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Served  bravely  and  faithfully 

with  his  company." — Capt.  M.] 
Musician  Samuel  J.  Buckland,  21  yrs.,  bookbinder,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  deserted  while  on  furlough  from  Camp  Wayne,  Oct.  22,  '61. 
Musician  David  M.  Cloud,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Wilmington,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Sept.  20,  '61;  ap.  musician  at  his  own  request 

Oct.  1,  '61;  ab.  sick  at  exp.  of  term,  supposed  dis.  according  to  circular 

36,  War  Dept. 
Musician  Isaac  B.  Hannum,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  6,  '61; 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  musician  Oct.  28,  '61;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 

Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28.  '65.     [Was  in  all  engagements  as 

a  private;  a  good  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 


500  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Musician  James  St.  John,  Sr.,  61  yrs.,  drummer,  Philadelphia;  was  principal 
musician  from  organization  of  regt.  until  dis.  by  G.  0.  126,  War  Dept., 
Oct.  13,  '62;  re-enlisted  and  mus.  as  drummer  of  Co.  D.,  Nov.  26,  '62,  for 
3  yrs.;  pr.  to  principal  musician  May  1,  '63.  ["St.  John  was  a  drummer 
boy  in  the  war  of  1812;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war;  was  drum 
maj.  of  the  9th  P.  V.,  in  the  3  mos.  service,  and  drum  maj.  of  the  97th 
P.  Y.  from  Aug.  22,  '61,  until  Oct.  13,  '62.  He  had  two  sons  in  this  regt. 
and  two  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  considered  the  best 
drummer  in  Pennsylvania."  Furnished  from  column  of  remarks,  Alpha 
betical  Roll,  Co.  D,  97th  P.  V.,  by  Brig.  Gen.  James  E.  Latta,  Adjutant 
General,  Pa.] 

Musician  Harmon  B.  Cloud,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Brandywine  Tillage,  Del.;  mus.  as 
priv.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C., 
Sept.  3,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  ap.  mu 
sician  Oct.  10,  '64;  served  in  ranks  from  choice  during  most  of  term;  mus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Teamster  John  P.  Cloud,  44  yrs.,  carpenter,  Lenni :  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 

Teamster  Francis  W.  Starkey,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Glen  Mills;  mus.  Sept.  16, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  teamster  in  '62,  date  not  given;  mus.  out  Sept.  19, 
'64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["  Was  a  steady,  faithful  and  reliable  soldier." — 
Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Babe,  Robert,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Chelsea,  Del.  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  with  loss  of  foot, 
in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64  ;  dis.  at  Hagar 
Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  on  acct.  of  wds.  Aug.  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Baker,  Joseph,  24  yrs.,  miller,  Glen  Mills;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  consumption  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  25,  '62. 

Priv.  Barr,  James,  19  yrs.,  carder,  Bancroft  Mills,;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  mus. 
out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Beaumont,  James,  18  yrs.,  weaver,  Knowlton;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.. 
vet.;  re-mus.  Mar.  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  June  3,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va., 
Aug.  16,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Berry,  William,  25  yrs.,  seaman,  Leroy,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.;  mus.  Sept. 
6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y. 
Harbor,  March  18,  '63. 

Priv.  Booth,  John,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Bethel;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  de 
serted  while  on  furlough  from  Camp  Wayne  Oct.  22,  '61. 

Priv.  Booth,  Joseph  E.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Bethel;  mus.  Sept.  19,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Oct.  3,  '63. 

Priv.  Brierly,  James,  19  yrs.,  cotton  spinner,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.,  with 
loss  of  leg,  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 
died  on  board  hosp.  barge  Gen.  Wool,  at  Bermuda  Landing,  May  21,  '64. 

Priv.  Brown,  William  H.,  21  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Pocopson,  Chester  Co.;  mus. 
Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  6,  '62. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    D.  501 

Priv.  Bullock,  James  S.,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Centreville,  Del.;  in  us.  Oct.  26, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May 
18,  '64;  rejoined  co.  from  hosp.,  Sept.,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  25,  '64,  at  exp. 
of  term.  ["Was  a  good  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Bullock,  William  W.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Christiana  lid.,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  6, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church,  Va.,  Aug.  26,  '64; 
mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Burley,  Robert,  19  yrs.,  weaver,  Upland;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ret\  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  \vd.  in  action  at  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  supposed  to  have  died  in  hosp.  from  wds.; 
never  heard  from.  ["Was  a  faithful  and  gallant  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Burns,  Daniel,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Died  in  Philadelphia,  date  un 
known.] 

Priv.  Butler,  Ephraim,  28  yrs.,  plasterer,  Parkerville,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept. 
6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  'eel.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  rnus. 
out  with  ro.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Cathcart,  William,  23  yrs.,  weaver,  Rockdale;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Cloud,  Charles  S.,  19  yrs.,  cotton  picker,  Crozierville;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  t  >  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action 
at  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  in  field  hosp.,  10th 
corps,  near  Petersburg.  Va.,  July  1,  '64.  ["A  brave  and  fearless  soldier  ; 
always  at  his  post." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Cloud,  Henry  H.,  19  yrs.,  spinner,  Brandy  wine  Village,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  6, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ab. 
from  wds.  at  mus.  out;  supposed  dis.  Sept.  19,  '64,  by  circular  36,  War 
Dept.,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Four  brothers  and  an  uncle  in  company;  all 
good  soldiers." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Cloud,  Lewis  C.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Brandy  wine  Village,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  6, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  10,  '62. 

Priv.  Cloud,  Samuel  J.,  18  yrs.;  farmer,  Pocopson,  Chester  Co.;  IIIUH.  Nov.  4,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["  Faithful  and  brave  soldier;  in  all  engagements;  nar 
rowly  scratched  several  times." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Crosson,  James,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Pennsbury,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  9, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet. 
Res.  Corps,  Dec.  30,  '64,  as  per  notice  received  from  Satterlee  Hosp., 
Philadelphia. 

Priv.  Davis,  Benjamin,  23  yrs.,  printer,  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  typhoid  dysentery  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C,  Sept.  10,  '62.  ["A 
scholar  and  soJ$lier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Dowling,  John,  21  yrs.,  carder,  Marcus  Hook,.;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 
Petersburg  Mine,  Vn.,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65 
["Was  a  fine,  clean  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 


502  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Drake,  Samuel,  19  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Rockdale ;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  died  of  climatic  fever  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  June  8,  '62.  [The 
first  death  in  co.] 

Priv.  Eavenson,  George  W.,  23  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Thornbury  ;  mus.  Sept.  9, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out.  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Though  sickly 
during  most  of  the  term,  he  was  a  faithful  soldier." — Capt.  M.j 

Priv.  Elliott,  Thomas,  26  yrs.,  teamster,  Knowlton,  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 
28,  '65.  * 

Priv.  Eyre,  Joseph  L.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Bethel;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
killed  in  night  attack  upon  picket  boat  in  Light  House  Creek,  Morris 
Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  4,  '63. 

Priv.  Fawkes,  Abraham,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Goshen;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
mus.  out  Sept.  9,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Frame,  Francis  M.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Birmingham;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64; 
mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Served  faithfully  with  his 
co." — Capt.  M.]  [After  dis.  received  ap.  as  clerk  in  com.  dept.  in  Sheri 
dan's  Army,  in  Shenandoah  Valley,  Va.] 

Priv.  Ferguson,  Robert  J.,  18  yrs.,  painter,  Crozierville  ;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  overstayed  vet. 
furlough  from  May  10  to  26,  '64;  $30  stopped  from  pay  for  appre 
hension;  restored  to  duty  without  trial  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  D.  B. 
Birney;  was  slightly  wd.  accidentally,  July  4,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  a  good,  faithful  soldier;  an  excellent  shot." — 
Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Griffith,  William  H.,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort 
Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept,  29,  '64  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hadfield,  Levi,  19  yrs.,  weaver,  Bancroft  Mills;  mus.  Sept,  16,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Heights,  Va.,  June  16,  '64  ;  mus.  out 
Sept,  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Hamilton,  James,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Bethel;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  trenches,  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  July  26,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["In  all 
engagements  with  company." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Hannum,  Enoch,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Birmingham;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  May  24,  '62. 

Priv.  Harman,  John  G.,  42  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Mortonville,  Delaware  Co.;  mus- 
Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Harry,  John  B.,  24  yrs.,  butcher,  Pocopson,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Nov.  13,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  8,  '62. 

Priv.  Higgins,  Henry,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
wd.  in  right  hand  on  picket,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  Jjune  26,  '62;  mus.  out 
Sept.  23,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Howarth,  Richard  S.,  26  yrs.,  tinsmith,  Concordville;  mus.  Sept,  21,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  mus  out  Sept.  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Was  in  all  battles 
with  his  company;  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    D.  503 

Priv.  Huey,  John  E.,  19  yrs.,  fanner,  Birmingham;  nws.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  Dec.  10,  '62.  ["Was  a 
useful,  willing  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Hughes,  Benjamin,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C..  Sept.  27,  '63. 

Priv.  Jones,  William  (1st),  20  yrs.;  farmer,  Brandy  wine  Hd..  Del.;  mus.  Sept. 
23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Dec.   1,  '63;  mus.  out 
with   co.  Aug.    28,  '65.     [Died    at    home,  Oct.,  '65,  from    disease   con 
tracted  by  exposure  while  in  the  service.]     ["  He  was  a  good  soldier ."- 
Oapt.  M.] 

Priv.  Karney,  Michael,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 
28,  '65.  ["At  his  post  in  every  action;  steady  and  reliable." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Kelly.  William  II.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Whitehall,  Pa.;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  trenches 
near  Petersburg,  Va.,  by  concussion  from  shell,  Aug.  29,  '64;  died  of  wds. 
at  field  bosp.,  18th  corps,  Aug.  30,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.  City  Point,  Va., 
sec.  D,  div.  1,  grave  2.  ["A  brave  young  soldier;  the  pet  of  his  com 
rades;  only  son  of  a  widow." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Keyzer,  John  C.,  44  yrs.,  laborer,  Lenni;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  West  Chester,  Oct.  17,  '61,  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Dix. 

Priv.  Kilroy,  John,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  Lenni;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on 
surg.  cert  at  West  Chester  Oct.  24,  '61.  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Dix. 
["These  two  men,  Keyzer  and  Kilroy,  were  not  of  the  stuff  soldiers  are 
made  of."— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Lancaster,  Thomas  M.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Chelsea,  Pa.;  mus.  Sept  11,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  died  of  diptheria  at  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  Dec.  29,  '62. 

Priv.  Martin,  Ferdinand,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  Allentown,  Pa.;  mus.  Nov.  13,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  died  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  15,  '63. 

Priv.  Maxwell,  Edward,  22  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Village  Green;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  Dec.  10,  '62. 

Priv.  Macintosh,  William  W.,  30  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 
Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  6,  '64;  was  in  hosp.  until  Dec.,  '64;  rejoined 
co.  and  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15.  '65;  raus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  faithful  and  always  at  bis  post." — 
Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  McManus,  James,  23  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Brandywine  Banks,  Del.;  mus. 
Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd., 
Va.,  May  18,  '64;  dis  for  wds.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.  Jan.  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Miles,  George  W.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Paoli;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  deserted  from  near  Ra 
leigh,  N.  C.,  Aug.  3,  '65.  [Mus.-outroll.]  ["Served  faithfully  with  com 
pany  three  yesrs;  was  in  all  engagements;  was  arrested  for  some  act 
contrary  to  military  discipline,  and  jumped  from  cars  on  the  way  to  Ra. 
leigh,  N.  C.,  Aug.  3,  1865;  not  recaptured."— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Moore,  George  B.,  31  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  14,  '62. 


504  HISTORY    OF   THE   NINETY  SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Parker,  Samuel,  19  yrs.,  cotton  spinner,  Lenni;  mus.  Sept,  6,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-raus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  and  capt'd  in 
action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  in  rebel  prison  at 
Salisbury,  N.  C.,  Dec.  16,  '64.  [A  brother,  member  of  another  Pa.  regt., 
died  in  same  prison.] 

Priv.  Pass,  John,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Pennsbury;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Darby  Town 
Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  faithful, 
steady  and  brave  throughout." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Patterson,  Riley,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches,  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  by  concussion  from  cannon 
shot,  date  not  given;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug. 
24,  '63. 

Priv.  Pierce,  George  K.,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Brandy  wine  Hd.,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  19, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in 
trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  by  a  rebel  sharp-shooter,  July  26,  '64; 
died  of  wds.  at  field  hosp.,  18th  corps,  July  27,  '64.  ["A  steady,  brave 
man  and  cheerful  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Pyle,  Ezra  B.,  43  yrs.,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  de 
serted  from  Camp  Wayne  Oct.  9,  '61. 

Priv.  Pyle,  Francis  H.,  31  yrs.,  carpenter,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 
28,  '65.  ["Served  faithfully  during  the  war."— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Pyle,  Walter,  22  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Concord;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  near  Peters 
burg  Heights,  Va.,  June  17,  '64,  and  again  in  trenches  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  15,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  ["A  good  soldier." — 
Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Russell,  Joseph,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Birmingham;  rnus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  killed  in  night  attack  upon  picket  boat  in  Light  House  Creek, 
at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  4,  '63;  bu.  near  the  Light  House,  Morris 
Island. 

Priv.  Sharp,  John,  23  yrs.,  weaver,  Avondale;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
mus.  out  Sept,  19,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  ["Served  continuously  and  faith 
fully  with  company  until  discharged." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Sheen,  John,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis. 
on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  9,  '63.  [After 
ward  enlisted  in  175th  P.  V.,  and  was  killed  in  trenches  before  Peters 
burg,  Va,,  in  Aug.,  '64.] 

Priv.  Smith,  Jacob  B.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Thornbury;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  July  18,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Foster's  Hcsp.,  New- 
bern,  N.  C.,  July  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  Theodore  M.,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Thornbury;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  June  21,  '63.  [Re- 
entered  service  in  cavalry.] 

Priv.  Smith,  William,  30  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  TJ.  S.  Arty.,  Nov.  17,  '62,  G.  0.  154,  War  Dept. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    D.  505 

Priv.  Stuckey,  John  H.,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  6,  '(51,  for  3 
yrs.;  ret.:  re-mus.  March  15,  '(14,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '(53;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  leg  amputated;  died  of 
wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  May  24,  '(54. 

Priv.  Tenney,  Hugh,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.:  re-mus.  March  15.  '(54,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65.  ["Was  a  good  soldier."— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Thompson,  John,  34  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Concord;  mus.  Sept.  19,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '(54,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at 
Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  65. 

Priv.  Walters,  Jesse   D.,  18   yrs.,  cotton    carder,  Concord;    mus.  Sept.  6,  '61, 
for   3   yrs.;    vet.;   re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date   Dec.   1,  '63;   killed  in 
picket  skirmish    near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  29,  '64;    bu.  in  Nat.  Gem., 
City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  D,  div.  4,  grave  65.     ["Was   a   good  soldier. "- 
('apt.  M.] 

Priv.  Watson,  William,  19  yrs  ;  cotton  weaver,  Upland;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Dec.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65.     ["Served  faithfully  with  company  through  the  war."- 
Cnpt.  M.] 

Priv.  West,  Joseph  Benjamin,  18  yrs.,  carder,  Crozierville ;  rec't ;  mus.  April 
15,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd., 
Va.,  May  18,  '64;  died  of  wds.  May  26,  '64.  ["Only  son  of  a  widow;  a 
brave  boy,  giving  promise  of  making  a  fine  soldier." — Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Wright,  James,  19  yrs.,  cotton  epinner,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 
for   3   yrs.;   died    of  yellow    fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  23,  '62. 
["Was  a  remarkable  neat  soldier;  always  reliable." — Capt.  M.] 
Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 

Priv.  Aikins,  Charles  B.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Allen,  John  J.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Alexander,  Newton,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  11,  '05. 

Priv.  Anderson,  Charles  (1st),  drafted,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug. 
28,  '65. 

Priv.  Anderson,  Charles  (2d),  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  Aug.  3,  '65. 

Priv.  Balliet,  Edward,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Oct.  7,  '63; 
arrested  in  Aug.,  '64;  returned  to  co.  Dec.  6,  '64;  tried  by  court-martial; 
sentenced  to  6  mos.  hard  labor;  finding  of  court  approved,  but  sentence 
remitted  and  the  soldier  remanded  to  duty  with  co.;  mus.  out  Aug. 
28,  '65. 

Priv.  Barrom,  Abraham,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Beaumont,  William ;  rec't;  mus.  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Besson,  William,  sub.,  Oct.  17,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Blew,  Charles  H.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fos 
ter's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  again  at  Cemetery  Hill,  Va., 
June   30,  '64;    dis.  on    surg.    cert.    June    12,  '65.     ["A   brave    man."- 
Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Boyd,  Richard,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  15,  '64. 

Priv.  Brown,  Charles,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Burke,  Michael,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Deichman,  Emanuel,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at 
Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ab.  from  wds.  at  mus.  out.;  no  dis 
charge  furnished.  ["Killed  in  action — was  a  reliable,  faithful  soldier." — 
Capt,  M.] 

Priv.  Doclson,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Duval,  John  M.,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Fair,  John  D.,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65. 

Priv.  Fail-field,  Francis,  drafted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  19,  '64; 
arrested  Nov.  1,  '64;  $30  stopped  for  apprehension;  ab.  in  arrest  at  mus. 
out;  at  Alexandria,  Va.. 

Priv.  Frame,  Abner,  drafted,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64 ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  April  4,  '65. 

Priv.  Funk,  Adolph,  sub.,  Nov.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Geary,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs;  wd.  in  action,  with  loss  of 
arm,  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  dis.  for  wds.  June  8,  '65. 

Priv.  Gergel,  John  M.,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  slightly  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps. 
Sept  30,  '64. 

Priv.  Gorman,  James,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gribbin,  Christopher,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Hafner,  Michael,  drafted,  Nov.  12,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  16,  '65.  [Died 
June  17,  '65;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Gem.,  L.  I.] 

Priv.  Haugh,  Samuel,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hazel,  Charles,  sub.,  Nov.  19,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Heck,  Henry,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Heckerman,  Wilhelm,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Heibel,  Caspar,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Heller,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hennigan,  John  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Herring,  Charles,  sub..  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hogg,  Edward  H.,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  June  6,  '64 ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  April  8,  '65.  [Formerly  in 
British  Army.] 

Priv.  Humes,  Kennedy;  rec't;  mus.  April  15,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  2, 
'64  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Jackson,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  19,  '64, 
apprehended  Sept.  18,  '64;  $30  stoppage;  in  confinement  at  Alexandria, 
Va.,  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Jones,  Smith,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Pe 
tersburg,  Va.,  July  3,  '64;  tr.  to  U.  S.  A.  Aug.  6,  '64,  by  G.  0.  War  Dept. 

Priv.  Jones.  William  (2d),  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out; 
since  May  21,  '64.  [Capt.  M.  reports  this  man  a  deserter,  May  21,  '64, 
carrying  away  arms,  accoutrements,  etc.] 

Priv.  Larimer,  William,  sub.,  July  12,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Lechner,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Lenhard,  Bernard,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Long,  Andrew  D.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.jn  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  July  1,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   D.  507 

Priv.  Louis,  John  H.,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out,  since 
May  21,  '(54;  mus.-out  roll.  [Capt.  M.  reports  him  a  deserter  on  May  2, 
'64,  carrying  off  arms,  etc.] 

Priv.  Mahan,  Thomas,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  March  2,  '65. 

Priv.  Martin,  Joshua;  rec't;  mus.  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  joined  co.  April  13, '65; 
inus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  McClure,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  5,  '64. 

Priv.  McGee,  Patrick,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery 
Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  again  wd.  in  trenches,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,July 
12,  '64;  dis.  June  24,  '65.  [Re-enlisted  in  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.] 

Priv.  McGinley   Barney,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  McKinnerney,  Allen,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  McMinimee,  John  S.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Morgan,  Alban,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Myer,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28;  65. 

Priv.  Myers,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  15,  T64. 

Priv.  Orchard,  John,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Phillips,  John,  sub.,  June  27,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Putell,  Jacob,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains  , 
Bermuda  lid.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64  ;  ab.  in  hosp.  since  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Quinn,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Rannalls,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  10,  '64 
["  Captured,  tried  and  sentenced  to  six  months'  imprisonment  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,»— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Shirden,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sbmuch,  Solomon,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Singer,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  jr.;  mu.s.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Va., 
June  5,  '64.  ["A  bruve  man."— Capt.  M.] 

Priv.  Tedrow,  Sylvester,  sub.,  Oct.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Tennant,  Oliver,  drafted,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Vanbuskirk,  Isaac,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  tor  1  yr.;  dia.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Walls,  Hezekiah,  sub.,  Oct.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mu.s.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Walsh,  Patrick  II.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  24,  '65.  [Re- 
enlisted  in  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Art'y.] 

Priv.  Walter,  Daniel  G.,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Wheeler,  Anson,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  May 
29,  '65. 

Priv.  White,  Thomas,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Wilson,  George  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Wizling,  Casper,  drafted,  Nov.  12,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Wright,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Oct.  7,  '63,  from 
Camp  Rendezvous;  retaken  Aug.,  '64;  assigned  to  co.  Dec.  6,  '64;  tried 
by  court-martial;  sentenced  to  6  mos.  hard  labor;  finding  of  court  ap 
proved;  sentence  remitted;  soldier  restored  to  duty;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Zeigler,  William  P.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


508 


HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


COMPANY    E,   MULLIGAN  GUARDS. 

Capt.  William  McConnell,  34  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  1st  sergt.  Co.  E,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61 ;  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus.  Oct. 
2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  resigned  and  hon.  dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  28, 
'64;  died  of  hemorrhage  of  bowels  at  West  Chester  Aug.  14,  '66,  the 
result  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 

Capt.  Samuel  D.  Smith,  28  yrs.,  butcher,  Westtown;  first  entered  service  as 
priv.  in  Co.  E,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61;  dis  July  29,  '61;  mus.  Sept.  9, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  10,  '63; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  !64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut,  Dec.  6,  '64; 
again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  capt.  May 
1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  John  H.  Babb,  29  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  2d  lieut.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  V.,  for  3  mos.  April  20,  '61;  mus.  Sept.  24, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  resigned  and  hon.  dis.  at  Edisto,  S.  C.,  April  26,  '62.  [Re- 
entered  service  as  2d  lieut.  in  Co.  M.,  181st  P.  V.  (20th  Pa.  Cav.);  dis. 
with  regt.  July  13,  '65.] 

1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  29  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  priv.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  V.,  April  20,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  as  2d  lieut. 
Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  April  26,  '62;  mus.  out  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  Nov.  10,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Lieut.  John  C.  Nicholson,  22  yrs.,oc.  and  res.  unknown;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  sergt.;  wd.  on  picket  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June 
12,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 
May  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  John  McNamee,  21  yrs.,  stone  mason,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th^P.  V.,  April  22,  '61;  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus. 
Sept,  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  April  26, 
'62;  resigned  and  hon.  dis.  at  Seabrook,  S.  C.,  May  9,  '63.  [Re-entered 
service  in  U.  S.  Marine  Corps.] 

2d  Lieut.  Jauaes  Me  Williams,  24  yrs.,  moulder,  West  Chester;  first  entered  ser 
vice  as  priv.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  V.,  April  20,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  9, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  10,  '63;  wd. 
in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  Nov.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

2d  Lieut.  John  Sullivan,  21  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service  as 
priv.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  V.,  April  20,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '63;  vet,; 
re-mus.  March  1,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry 
Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  pris'r  until  Dec.  24,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  to 
rank  from  Dec.  6,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co. 
at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  Daniel  Sullivan,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Sept.  27,  '64;  pr. 
to  sergt.  date  unknown;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co. 
at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY   E.  o()9 

Sergt.  James  Coughlin,  23  yrs.,  nurseryman,  Chester  Co.,  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  May  10,  '63;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March  In,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  deserted  from  U.  S.  Hosp., 
Philadelphia,  Feb.  23,  '65. 

Sergt.  Patrick  Carter,  27  yrs.,  cordwainer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '(51,  for 
.'}  yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt  Oct.  '2,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  April  26,  '62;  pr.  to 
3d  sergt.  May  10,  '63;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept. 
13,  '63. 

Sergt.  George  L.  Smith,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Westtown ;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  1st  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61 ;  pr.  to  sergt.  May  31,  '62;  w'd  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va..  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at 
Satterlee  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Nov.  28,  '64. 

Sergt.  William  H.  Spicer,  20  yrs.,  tailor,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Nov.  6,  '61;  pr. 
to  6th  corp.  Feb.  20,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  June  25,  62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt. 
Nov.  1,  '63;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  8,  '64;  dis.  on 
acct.  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  date  unknown. 

Sergt.  Michael  Rush,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  no  date  of  ap.  to  corp.  or  sergt.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15.  '64,  to  date 
Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  2S,  '65.  [Since  died  of  coup-de 
soleil,  at  Phoenixville,  Pa.,  July  15,  '68.] 

Sergt.  James  A.  lliley,  26  yrs.,  laborer;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  14,  '61,  for  3  yrs  ; 
no  date  of  ap.  to  corp.  or  sergt.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb. 
29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Miue,  Va  ,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out 
with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  John  O'Brien,  20  yrs.,  painter,  New  York;  mus.  Sept.  15,  '61,  for  3  vrs.- 
wd.  in  trenches  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  5,  '63;  no  date  of  pr.  to 
corp.  or  sergt.;  vet.;  re-nius.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  July  1,  '64;  mus.  out 
with  co. -Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  David  Signet,  20  yrs.,  laborer,  Charlestown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 
Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Aug.  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Edward  Corcoran,  35  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Oct.  2.  '61;  killed  in  action  at  GnmbaU's  Plantation, 
James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62.  [The  first  man  killed  in  the  regt.;  bu. 
near  where  he  fell.] 

Corp.  George  Jenkins,  28  yrs.,  plasterer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;  tr.  to  ranks  at  his  own  request  Feb.  28, 
'62;  re-ap.  corp.  Dec.  1,  '62;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29, 
'64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Bernhard  McDerraott,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  June  25,  '62;  ret.; 
re-mus.  Ma-ch  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29.  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Petersburg 
Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64. 

Corp.  William  Glanding,  39  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  June  26,  '62;  wd.  and 
capt'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died 
at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  9,  '64:  grave  5,172. 


510  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  James  0.  Day,  23  yrs  ,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  raus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ap.  6th   corp.  Oct.  2,  '61;   deserted  from  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester, 

Oct.  8,  '61. 
Corp.  Thomas  Cummins,  44  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  21, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  25,  '62;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Conva 
lescent  Camp,  St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  July  29,  '63. 
Corp.  William  Egan,  43  yrs.,  baker,  res.  unknown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.,  pr.  to  rorp.  June  26,  '62;  dis.  by  circular  36,  War  Dept.,  from 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  supposed  Camp  Taylor,  Va.,  Sept.  9,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  Thomas  Forsytbe,  34  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  26, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  corp.  about  Nov.   1,  '63,  and  det.  with  color  guard; 

mus.  out  Oct.  25,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Died  at  home.] 
Corp.  Jeremiah  Hennesey,  37  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct. 

21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  corp.  about  Nov.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  Oct.  21,  '64,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  Joseph  Little,  21   yrs.,  farmer,  Goshen;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  on  picket  skirmish,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  12,  '62;  pr.  to 

corp.  about  Nov.  1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64; 

reduced  to  ranks  July  9,  '64;  deserted  while  on  picket  at  Deep  Bottom, 

Va.,  Aug.  21,  '64. 
Corp.  Francis  Carter,  20  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 

23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  1,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to 

date  Jan.  1,  '64;  capt'd  in  skirmish  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  16,  '64; 

pris'r  until  Dec.  21,  '64;  paroled;  died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Dec.  30,  '64. 
Corp.  Peter  Steward,  26  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Bradford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.   16, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 

Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  27,  '64;  mus.  out 

with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  Butler,  21  yrs.,  waiter,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date 

Feb.  29,  '64 ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  William  Gillen,  21  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept,  9,  '61, 

tor  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 

Aug.  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Charles  Sharp,  33  yrs.,  laborer,  Washington,  D.  C.;  rec't ;  mus.  as  priv. 

Dec.  26,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  16,  '62;  pr.  to  corp.  June  25,  '62; 

reduced  to  ranks;  date  not  given;  dis.  to  date  Feb.  15,  '65.     [Was  pre 
viously  in  U.  S.  service.] 
Musician  Hugh  O'Donnell,  Jr.,  14  yrs.,  musician,  West  Chester;  mus.,  Oct.  2, 

'61.  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  24,  '62. 
Musician  Charles  Riley,  Jr.,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with 

co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Teamster  Jonathan  Pine,  42  yrs.,  wagoner,  Sadsburyville  ;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  2,  '63. 
Priv.  Allen,  Alexander,  26  yrs.,  plumber,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  deserted  while  on 

vet.  furlough  May  23,  '64. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   E.  oil 

Priv.  Arters,  Reese,  31  yrs.,  tailor,  Sadsbury;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs;  ills. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  8.  ('.,  July  26,  '(53. 
Priv.  Bell,  Thomas,  40  yrs.,  pudler,  Phceiiixville;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Oct.  21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Beuuett,  John,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  East  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs;  mus.  out  Oct.  IS,  '64.  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Brown,  Matthew,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Valley  Forge;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  New  York  Hosp.  Nov.  2(5,  '62. 
Priv.  Burns,  William,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Lexington,  Mass.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Sept.  8,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Carberry,  Cormac,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  from  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  26,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Carroll,  Thomas,  28  yrs.,  laborer;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg. 

cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  27,  '63. 
Priv.  Chappie,  Ovel,  36  yrs.,  watch  maker.  Valley  Forge;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  chron.  dysentery  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  29,  '63. 
Priv.    Collins,  Patrick,  37   yrs.,  laborer,  res.  unknown;    mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Conner,  Martin,  30  yrs.;  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept  16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  30,  '62. 
Priv.  Conway,  George,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  18,  '62. 
Priv.  Conway,  John  F,  41  yrs.,  laborer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.   15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  die  1  at  Andersonville, 
Ga.,  June  30,  '64. 

Priv.  Crawford,  William,  37  yrs.,  tailor,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  De-Camp  Hosp.,  David's  Island,  N.  Y.;  since  May  30, 
'64  ;  dis.  at  that  place  Oct.  21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Cummins,  Dominick,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Dallass,  Thomas,  37  yrs.,  farmer,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Davis,  Peter,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Aug.  12,  '62. 
Priv.  Donnelly,  Richard.  27  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus,  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  terra. 
Priv.  Dougherty,  James,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  11,  '62. 
Priv.  Dougherty,  Peter,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  May  24,  '62. 
Priv.  Duffy,  Colom,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  New  Castle  Co.,  Del.;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry   Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  pris'r 
until  Dec.  19, '64;  dis.  at  Camp  Parole  Dec.  2,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Duffy,  Francis,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept,   16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  deserted  at  Hilton  Head,  April  19,  '63. 

Priv.  Dunlavy,  Michael,  24  yrs.,  baker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernaudiua,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 


512  HISTORY  OF  THE!  NINETY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Finnessy,  Richard.  32  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died 

of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  June  14,  '64. 
Priv.  Flannery,  John,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.   16,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Oct.  16,  '64,  grave  11,026. 
Priv.  Gibbons,  William,  27  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.   9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 

Aug.  25,  '64. 
Priv.  Grant,  Patrick.  23  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  5,  '63;  mus.  out  Oct. 

4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Groce,  George,  40  yrs.,  factoryman,  Valley  Creek;  mue.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  diarr.  at  Newbern, 

N.  C.,  June  2,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  plot  1,  grave  71. 
Priv.  Hall,  Thomas,  26  yrs.,  laborer,  Easttown;  mus.   Oct.    15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  30,  '62. 
Priv.  Haney,  Thomas,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  18,  '62.     [Re-entered  3  yrs. 

service  Dec.  28,  '63,  in  Co.  A,  20th  Pa.  Cav.;  dis.  with  regt,  July  2,  65.] 
Priv.  Haslarn,  Charles,  24  yrs.,  laborer,  Charlestown ;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  on  picket  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  12,  '62;  died  of  wds.  in  U.  S- 

Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  8,  '62. 
Priv.  Hill,  Charles,  33  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Bradford;  mus.  Oct.  29,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Holt,  Thomas,  — ,  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64.     [Name  not  on  mus. -out 

roll.] 
Priv.  Huggins,  Josiah  G.,  39  yrs.,  cabinet  maker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  21, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  I,  '(52. 
Priv.  Johnson,  John,  36  yrs.,  laborer,  Penningtonville;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mis.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;   died  at  Andersonville, 

Ga.,  Aug.  17,  '64. 
Priv.  Johnston,  Robert,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Joyce,  Patrick.  23  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kaver,  James,  35  yrs.;  laborer,  Sadsburyville;  mus.  Nov.  8,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  July  26,  '63. 
Priv.  Keefe,  Patrick,  23  yrs.,  laborer,  AVest  Groshen;  mus.   Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  congestive  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  21,  '63. 
Priv.  Keelam,  James,  25  yrs.,  boatman,  Baltimore,  Md.;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  18,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Kickham,  Thomas,  21  yrs.,  factoryman,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.   11,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  at  Satterlee  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  12,  '64,  at  exp.  of 
term. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    E.  513 

Priv.  Light,  William  ,].,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  res.  unknown;  mus.  Sept.  10,  Mil,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '(54,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Logan,  William,  32  yrs.,  laborer,  Sadsbury;  mus.  Sept.  lf>,  '01,  for  3  yrs.; 

rapt'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya..  May  20,  '64;  died  at 

Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  17,  '04,  grave  5,985. 
Priv  Lynch,  Edward,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  Fisberville;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '01,  for  3  yrs.; 

capt'd  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  M54;  par. 

Nov.  23,  '04;  died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Nov.  29,  '04. 
Priv.  McCabe,  John,  24  yrs.,  laborer,  Wilmington,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  accidentally  shot  and  killed  by  sergt.  of  guard,  in  camp  at  Seabrook 

Island,  S.  C.  April  22,  '03 
Priv.  McCabe,  Patrick,  28  yrs.,  laborer,  Altoona,  Blair  Co.;  rnus.  Sept.  9,  '01,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  29,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McCartney,  Michael,  31  yrs.,  laborer,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McCormick,  Michael,  23  yrs.,  saddler,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis,  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  .Ian.  11,  '02., 
Priv.  McCue,  Bernard,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Mauch  Chunk,  Carbon  Co.;  mus.  Sept. 

20,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  ab. 

sick  at  mus.  out;  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  since  May  12,  '04.     [Since  re-entered 

U.  S.  service  as  priv.  in  2d  U.  S.  Infty  ;  reported  killed  by  Indians.] 
Priv.  McDermott,  James,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  deserted  at  Camp  Wayne  Sept.  20,  '01. 
Priv.  McDonald,  Peter,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  Gosben;  mus.  Oct.  12,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  25,  '62. 
Priv.  McGinley,  Charles,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  Lebanon   Valley;  mus.  Sept.   16,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  10,  '63. 
Priv.  McIIale,  Thomas  P.,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '01,  for 

3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  21,  '62. 
Priv.  McNulty.   Francis,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  deserted  at  Camp  Wayne  Sept.  20,  '61. 
Priv.  Miles,  Isaac,  44  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  20,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  15.  "04.  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Morgan,  David,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.,  died  of  consumption  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Feb.  26,  '64. 
Priv.  Murphy,  Patrick,  20  yrs.,  laborer,  Valley  Store;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  consumption  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Oct.  28,  '63. 
Priv.  Nugent,  Dennis,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  Thornbury,  Delaware  Co.;    mus.  Oct.   7, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  U.  S.  Hosp  ,  New  York,  May  11,  '63. 
Priv.  O'Brian,   Patrick,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  New  York;  mus.  Sept.   18,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  deserted  at  Camp  Wayne  Sept.  20,  '61. 
Priv.  O'Conner,  Michael,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '01,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  19,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  O'Donnell,  Hugh,  Sr.,  43  yrs  ,  wheelwright,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  or  congestive  fever  on  board  hosp.  boat  Cos 
mopolitan,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  26,  '62. 
Priv.  O'Neil,  James,  39  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  18,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

deserted  at  Camp  Wayne,  Sept.  20,  '61. 
33 


514  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  O'Neil,  Peter,  33  yrs.,  laborer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  April  13,  '62. 
Priv.  Quigley,  Charles,  29  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  mus.  Oct.  26,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Nov.  21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Riley,  Charles,  30  yrs,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  acute  diarr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Aug.  13,  '62. 
Priv.  Riley,  James,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester  ;  mus.  Sept,  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64,  ab.  since  at  De-Camp 

Hosp.,  David's  Island,  N.  Y.;  dis.  Jan.  5,  '65,  on  acct.  of  wds.  and  exp. 

of  term. 
Priv.  Rodgers,  John,  34  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.   18,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Sherman,   Robert,  30  yrs.,  baker,  East  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  deserted  while  on 

vet.  furlough  May  23,  '64. 
Priv.  Skiffington,  Patrick,  29  yrs.,  laborer,  East  Goshen;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  deserted  at  Camp  Wavne  Sept.  20,  '61. 
Priv.  Still,  John  W.,  age,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Sept.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Walsh,  Michael,  29  yrs,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  4,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Walsh,  Walter,  40  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Brandy  wine;  mus.  Sept.  11,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-raus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  missing  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  supposed  to  have  died 

a  pris'r  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 
Priv.  Wauls,  James,  19  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  18,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  James  Barrett,  sub.,  Nov.  27,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.;  tr  to  Bat.  E, 

3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  June  27,  '65. 
Corp.  James  Goodwin,  drafted,  Sept.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  no  date  of  pr.;  dis.  June 

2,  '65. 

Corp.  Charles  Dugan,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  2,  '65. 
Corp.  James  P.  Mitchell,  sub.,  Feb.  29,  '64,  for  2  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  not  given; 

tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  June  27,  '65. 
Corp.  William  Seifert,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  no  date  of  pr.;  mus.  out  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Corp.  Michael  Maloue,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Aug.  2,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Charles  McDonald,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Aug.  3, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Thomas  Hughes,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Aug.  4, 

'(,5;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Adams,  Charles,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  July  26,  '65. 
Priv.  Adams,  Emil,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Adams,  George,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  17,  '65. 
Priv.  Armstrong,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Baker,  Charles,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  28,  '63. 


ROSTER    AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   E.  515 

Priv.  Beeehert,  Cornelius,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Belluy,  Joseph,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28.  '65. 

Priv.  Berlett,  Augustus,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bordeaux,  Joseph,  cub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bosler,  William,  sub.,  Oct.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Boulin,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  65. 

Priv.  Boyer,  Peter,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Brace,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  1st  Regt.  U.  S.  A  , 
Aug.  5,  '64. 

Priv.  Brown,  John,  sub.,  March  2.  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Callender,  Monroe,  sub.,  Oct.  2,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Carey,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  5,  '65. 

Priv.  Carr,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  2!),  '65. 

Priv.  Carroll,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs;  \vd.  in  action  at  Foster's 
Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  at  U.  S.  Hosp., 
David's  Island,  N.  Y.,  on  acct.  of  wds.;  since  May  18,  '64. 

Priv.  Cosner,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  6,  '65,  tor  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  16,  '65. 

Priv.  Davis,  WHliam,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 

Priv.  Detrich,  Martin,  drafted,  Dec.  22,  '64,  for  I  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Donovan,  James,  sub.,  Nov.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28.  '65. 

Priv.  Dowd,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Eaton,  Louis  N.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for   I  yr ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Ellsworth,  Chester,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  2!),  '65. 

Priv.  Farrell,  Patrick,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  July  6,  '65. 

Priv.  Feenery,  Patrick,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  L  yr.;  dis.  May  4,  '65. 

Priv.  Fleming,  William  IL,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Ford,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  joined  co.  March  14,  '65; 
mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Ford,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  28,  '63. 

Priv.  Freeman,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24.  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Gochnour,  Andrew,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gordon,  Daniel  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Graff,  John,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Grant,  Dennis;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  \vd.  in  action  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  for  wds.  June  29.  '65. 

Priv.  Gray,  Hiram,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mns.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Green,  Oscar,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Harris,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Harris,  John  H.,  sub  ,  Nov.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  July  26,  '65. 

Priv.  Harrison,  Jackson,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65.  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hayes,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  New  Mar 
ket  Heights,  Va.,  Oct.  7,  '64;  ab.  at.  mus.  out  on  acct.  of  wds.  in  U.  S. 
Hosp.  at  Philadelphia. 

Priv  Hayes,  James  S.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  2,  '65. 

Priv.  Henry,  Patrick,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65.  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  2,  '65. 

Priv.  Hess,  Martin,  drafted,  Dec.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hilderbrant,  Fiancis  E.,  sub.,  Sept.  1.  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Hippie,  Wesley,  sub.,  Aug.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 


516  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Hollenback,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hoover,  Andrew,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Irwin,  William  II.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Judge,  Nicholas,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus  out. 
Priv.  Karighan,  John,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Karons,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mu<5.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.   Kelly,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry 

Plains,  Ya,,  Aug.  16,  '64;  par.  March  3,  '65;  dis.  June  6,  '65. 
Priv.  Killian,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 
Priv.  Killmer,  George,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lamott,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  23,  '64. 
Priv.  Lane,  James,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  y;s.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Logan,  Ambrose,  sub.,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for   1    yr.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  Nevvbern,  N.  C.,  June  11,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Gem.,  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  sec.  20,  grave  20. 

Priv.  Low,  George,  sub.,  Oct.  15,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Ludwig,  Elbert,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.,  New  York,  June  18,  '65;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Gem.,  Long  Island. 
Priv.  Lynch,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Magee,  Michael,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  11,  '65. 
Priv.  McBride,  Patrick,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McCall,  Michael;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  McCracken,  Levi,  sub.,  March  I,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McCush,  Alexander,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63.  for  3  yrs.;    capt'd   in  action  at 

Green   Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,   '64;  died   at  Andersonville, 

Ga.,  Nov.  8,  '64. 

Priv.  McKay,  Steward,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  July  14,  '64. 
Priv.  McKernon,  Patrick,  sub.,  Feb.  29,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  May  8,  '65. 
Priv.  McNinch,  Henry,  sub.,  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher. 

N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  McNunn,  Edward,  drafted,  Sept    25.  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  23,  '64, 
Priv.  McPherson,  Henry,  sub.,  Oct.  3,  '64,  for  1  yr  ;  deserted  Aug.  1,  '65. 
Priv.  Moleten,  Frederick,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Morton,  Andrew,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya,,  May  20,  '64;  ex.  and  rejoined  co.  Jan.  13,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Moyer,  John  C.  sub.  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Phillips,  George  W.,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  diarr.  at  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  May  7,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  32. 
Priv.  Reese,  Henry,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Rice,  Henry,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Robinson,  Henry,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rodgers,  Thomas  J.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rose,  Thomas  B.,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rosney,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Rugle,  Reuben,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rush,  John  M.;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  2,  '65. 
Priv.  Sands,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    E.  517 

Priv.  Saywer,  Anthony,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  I  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Seheetz,  John,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  2,  '65. 

Priv.  Scbygle,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sharp,  John,  sub.,  March  3.  '(IS,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  July  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Simes,  Lewis,  sub.,  Feb.  26,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  15,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  William  J.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  \vd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  June  7,  '65. 
Priv.  Stewart,  Barton,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yr?.;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 
Priv.  Stoeker,  Noel,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  captYl  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda    Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;    par.  April    5,   '65;    at  Camp 

Parole,  Md.,  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Story,  Samuel,  drafted,  Feb.  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '(55. 
Priv.  Stout,  Samuel  A.,  sub.,  May  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '(55. 
Priv.  Sutton,  Reuben  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Taylor,  William  M.,  drafted,  Sept.  10,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  28,  '(53. 
Prir.  Thomas,  John,  drafted,  Sept.   23,  '63,  for   3   yrs.;    died  of  dysentery    at 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  22,  '64. 
Priv.  Thompson,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mis.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  supposed  to  have  died  at  Ander- 

sonville,  Ga.,  Nov.  8,  '64. 

Priv.  Tierney,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs  ;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 
Priv.  Trout,  Joseph  W..  sub.,  Oct.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65 
Priv.  Voglesory,  John  II.,  sub.,  Aug.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Wallace,  William  (1st),  drafted,  Nov.  26,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug. 

20.  '64. 

Priv.  Wallace,  William  (2d),  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  '(55. 
Priv.  Walsh,  Peter,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  28,  '63. 
Priv.  Williams,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  \vd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  tr.  to  1st  Vet.  Res.  Corps  Aug.  5,  '64. 
Priv.  Williams,  John  D.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Wilson,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 
Priv.  Worthingtoo,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

COMPANY    F,  NATIONAL   GUARDS. 

Capt.  De  Witt  C.  Lewis,  39  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  1st  lie ut.  Co.  E,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61;  dis  July  29,  '61;  mus.  Oct. 
3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May 
20,  '64;  mus.  out  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  Oct.  3,  '64.  at  exp.  of  term. 
[Pr.  to  brev.  maj.  and  brev.  lieut.  col.  U.  S.  V.,  March  13,  '65;  elected 
sheriff  of  Chester  Co.  for  3  yrs.,  Oct.  8,  '69.] 

Capt.  John  Wainwright,  22  yra.,  coach  painter,  West  Chester;  served  as  priv. 
in  2d  P.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st 
sergt.  Oct.  3,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Jan.  10,  '62;  wd.  in  night  attack  on 
James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  12,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  March  9,  '63;  com. 
capt.  Nov.  1,  '64;  not  mus.;  ap.  brev.  capt.  by  order  of  War  Dept.,  March 
13,  '65,  and  to  brev.  maj.  same  date  for  gallantry  in  com'd  of  regt.  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  lieut.  col.  March  15,  '65,  to  rank  from 
Jan.  15,  '65. 


518  HISTORT    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Capt.  Lewis  P.  Malin,  26  yrs.,  carpenter,  Sugartown;  seived  as  priv.  in  2d 
P.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.,-  re-mus. 
March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action 
at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.,  date  not  known;  again 
wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to' capt.  Feb.  28,  '65; 
mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  Joseph  T.  Burnett,  26  yrs.,  cordwainer,  West  Chester;  served  as  2d 
lieut.  in  Co.  F,  9th  P.  V.,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  1st  lieut.  Sept,  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  9,  '63,  by  order  of 
Sec.  of  War.  [Re-entered  service  for  3  yrs.,  March  8,  '64,  as  priv.  in 
183d  P.  V.;  dis.  with  regt.  July  13,  '65.] 

1st  Lieut.  Isaac  J.  Nichols.  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Kimberton ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
23,  '61,  fur  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  corp.  May  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 
May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Oct.  10,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Feb.  28,  '65;  mus. 
out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C  ,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  Oliver  E.  Strickland,  35  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester;  first  entered  service 
as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61;  dis.  July  29,  '61;  mus.  as  2d 
lieut.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  res.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  9,  '62. 
2d  Lieut.  Thomas  Cosgriff,  22  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  first  entered  ser 
vice  as  priv.  in  Co.  G,  2d  P.  Y.,  April  20,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.  Oct.  3,  '61 ;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Jan.  10,  '62;  pr. 
to  2d  lieut.  March  9,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '64; 
again  wd.  in  action  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  dis.  on  surg. 
cert,  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  March  28,  '65. 
2d  Lieut.  John  E.  Huntsman,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  served  as  priv.  in  9th 
P.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt,  Oct.  3,  '61 ; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29, ''64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Oct.  3,  '64;  pr. 
to  1st  sergt.  Jan.  2,  '65;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at 
Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  Thomas  B.  Guest,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  served  as  priv.  in 
9th  P.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt,  Oct.  3, 
'61;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Jan.  10,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  March  10,  '63;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  after  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  struck  by  a  rebel  shell  in  camp  of 
regt.  at  Foster's  Place,  Ya. 

1st  Sergt.  John  Kennedy,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  served  as  priv.  in  9th 
P.  Y.,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt.;  pr.  to  2d 
sergt,  June  10,  '63;  vet.;  re-inus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  1st  sergt.  May  21,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  10, 
'64;  dis.  by  S.  O.  45,  War  Dept.,  A.  G.  0.,  Jan.  28,  '65,  at  Washington. 
1st  Sergt.  Thomas  E.  Brown,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv. 
Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs,,  wd.  in  trenches  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug. 
21,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  again  wd.  in 
action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 
May  21,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Jan.  15,  '65  ;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  July  19, '65;  mus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    F.  519 

Sergt.  Lee  A.  Stroud,  24  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp  Oct.  3,  '01;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  March  1,  '02;  pr.  to  3d 
sergt.  March  10,  '03;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  May  21,  '04;  raus.  out  Oct.  3,  '04, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Samuel  \Vynn,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Nantmeal ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept  23, 
'01,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  Nov.  29,  '01;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Jan.  10,  '02; 
pr.  to  Oth  corp.  March  14,  '02;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  June  10,  '03;  pr.  to  3d 
sergt  May  21,  '04;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Caleb  Mercer,  24  yrs.,  carpenter,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '01,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  8th  corp.  Oct.  3,  '01;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Nov.  29,  '01;  pr.  to  Otli  corp. 
March  1,  '02;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  March  14,  '03;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04, 
to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  \vd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Burmuda  Hd.,  Va., 
May  20,  '04;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  May  21,  '04;  pr.  to  com.  sergt.  July  19,  '05. 

Sergt.  David  Mock.  24  yrs.,  engineer,  St.  Mary's,  Chester  Co;  mus.  as  priv. 
Sept.  23,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15.  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04; 
\vd.  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  Sept.  29,  '04;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.; 
pr.  to  sergt.  April  22,  '05;  mus.  out  with  co,  Aug.  28,  '05. 

Sergt.  Herman  P.  Brower,  18  yrs.,  carpenter,  East  Vincent;  rnus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
30,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  12,  '02;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  pr  to 
sergt.  July  19,  '05;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '05. 

Sergt.  James  P.  Griffith,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lionville;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  17r  '01, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  pr.  to  corp. 
April  4,  '05;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '05;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '05. 

Sergt.  Jackson  Meharrey,  18  yrs,.,  farmer,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as 
priv.  Oct.  9,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29, 
'04;  pr.  to  corp.  April  4,  '05;  no  date  of  pr.  to  sergt.;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '05. 

Corp.  Thomas  H.  Short,  22  yrs.,  carpenter,  Pughtown;  served  as  priv.  in  9th 
P.  V.  for  3  raos.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  corp.  Oct.  3,  '01; 
reduced  to  ranks  by  sentence  of  gen.  court-martial  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C., 
March  14,  '03,  G.  O.  24.  [See  record  as  private.] 

Corp.  James  A.  Fries,  25  yrs..  stone  mason,  Pughtown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Oct.  3,  '01;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  March  14,  '03;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Fos 
ter's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '04;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp., 
Hampton,  Va.,  May  21,  '04. 

Corp.  Edward  Townsend,  18  yrs.,  cordwainer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4tb  corp.  Oct.  3,  '01;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  March  1,  '02;  pr.  to 
2d  corp.  March  14,  '03;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  May  22,  '04;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '04, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Corp.  James  T.  Terry,  31  yrs.,  carpenter,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  5th  corp.  Oct.  3,  '01;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  March  1,  '02;  pr.  to  3d  corp. 
March  14,  '03;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  wd.  in 
action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '04;  pr.  to  2d  corp. 
May  22,  '04;  killed  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  10,  '04. 
[Left  on  the  field  ;  was  first  reported  mis.  in  action,  supposed  to  be  capt'd.J 


520  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  John  Weber,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap. 
6th  corp.  Oct.  3,  '61 ;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  March  1,  '62  ;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  March 
14,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  3d  corp. 
May  22,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  8,  '64;  pr.  to 
principal  musician  May  26,  '65. 

Corp.  Joseph  R,  Richardson,  32  yrs.,  brick  maker,  Coatesville;  mus.  as  priv. 
Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Nov.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  March 
1,  '63;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  March  14,  '63;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina, 
Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 

Corp.  Jesse  M.  Boyles,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Edgemont;  mus  as  priv.  Sept.  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  June  10,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64, 
to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  April  10,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fos 
ter's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va,,  May  18,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of 
wds.  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  July  10,  '65. 

Corp.  John  C.  Smith,  22  yrs.;  farmer,  Sugartown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  161, 
fur  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  June  10,  '63;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  April  10,  '64; 
killed  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64.  [First  reported 
mis.  in  action.] 

Corp.  John  H.  Brower,  24  yrs.,  carpenter,  East  Vincent;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept' 
30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to 
date  Feb.  2.9,  '64;  no  date  of  pr.  to  sergt.;  pr.  to  qr.-mr.  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '65. 

Corp.  Josiah  G.  Garrett,  24  yrs.,  carpenter,  Howellville;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  ac 
tion  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20.  '64;  again  wd.  in  action 
at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  April  4,  '65;  mus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Thomas  Ray,  20  yrs.,  miner,  St.  Mary's;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;'  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  and  capt'd  in 
action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va,,  Aug.  16,  '64;  par.  and  ex;  rejoined 
regt,  April  18,  '65  ;  pr.  to  corp.  July  20,  '65  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Amos  Divine,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv. 
Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15.  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64; 
pr.  to  8th  corp.  Aug.  1,  65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Musician  Thomas  St.  John,  15  yrs.,  minor,  Philadelphia;  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Musician  Isaac  F.  Faro,  17  yrs.,  sailor,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Musician  Jesse  White,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Sugartown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept,  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet,;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ap.  musician 
Oct.  3,  '64 ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Teamster  James  D.  Roberts,  28  yrs.,  wagoner,  Coatesville;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  teamster  Oct.  3,  '61;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Abel,  Theodore,  20  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  dis.  on  surg. 
cert.  July  28,  '62.  [Re-entered  service  July  19,  '64,  in  Co.  P,  129th 
P.  V.;  dis.  with  regt.  Nov.  11,  '64.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    F.  521 

Priv.  Booth,   Nathaniel,  23  yrs.,  sailor,  Booth's  Corner;  inus.  Oct.   1,  'C>1,  for  3 

yrs.;  nius.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Brown,  .Joseph,  22  yrs.,  sailor,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '(51,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '04,  to  dute  Feb.  29,  '64;  deserted  while  on  vet. 

furlough  May  16,  '64. 
Priv.  Carey,  Joshua,  43   yrs.,  hatter,    Mnrshalton;   served    as    priv.    5    yrs.  in 

U.  S.  Marine  service;  mus.  Sept.  2(1,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March 

15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va., 

July  30,  '64.     [He  was  also  a  veteran  of  the  Florida  and  Mexican  Wars, 

a  model  soldier  in  all  respects.] 
Priv.  Collins,  Ebenezer  ]).,  19  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Oxford;  raus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  \vd.  in  action  at 

Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Vn..  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Cook,  George  W.,   18  yrs.,  butcher,   West  llaverford,   Pa.;  rnus.  Sept.  23, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  trenches  near  Fort  Wagner,  Morris  Island,  S.  C., 

Sept.  3,  '63. 
Priv.  Devon,  William,  25  yrs.,  blacksmith,   Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  1,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March   15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  deserted  at  Cold 

Harbor,  Va.,  June  5,  '(!4. 
Priv.  Diffendarfer,  Lewis,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Pughtown,  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  at  U.  S.  Hosp. 

on  acct.  of  wds. 
Priv.  Edminston,  James,  30  yrs.,  tailor,  Coatesville,  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Edwards,  John  W.,  18  yrs.;  farmer,  Hayesville,  mus.   Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrp.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Heights,  Va.,  June  15,  '64;  mus.  out 

Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Estworthy,  Thomas  T.,  34  yrs.,  cordwainer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  by  post  surgeon  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va., 

Dec.  8,  '61.     [Afterward  entered  emergency  service  in  Pennsylvania.] 
Priv.  Ferrell,  Daniel  W.,   18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;   served   as  priv. 

in  2d   P.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Oct. 

3,  '61;  refused  to  serve  as  corp.  and  tr.  to  ranks  Nov.  29,  '61;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March   15,  '64.  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  near  Darby 

Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64. 
Priv.  Garvis,  John,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Compass vi lie;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps,  July  27,  '63,  G.  0.  235,  A.  G.  0. 
Priv.  Gatchel,  David  K,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  raus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Graham,  James  D.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  St.  Peter's;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green    Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Guest,  George  W.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Uwchland;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at 

Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  in  prison  at  Richmond.  Va., 

Feb.  28,  '65. 


522  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Greenfield,  Milton,  40  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Kennett  Square;  mus.  Sept.  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C., 
Oct.  11,  '63. 

Priv.  Haas,  Frederick,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Guthrieville;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Hagley,  John,  36  yrs.,  baker,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus. 
out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Haines,  Franklin,  28  yrs.,  machinist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  West  Chester,  Sept.  14,  '64. 

Priv.  Hale,  Hugh,  28  yrs.,  foundryman,  West  Chester;  served  as  priv.  in  9th 
P.  V.,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Oct  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  (ankle  dis 
located),  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  dis.  from  Camp  Discharge, 
Philadelphia,  Oct.  15,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Hall,  John,  42  yrs.,  farm  laborer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  28,  '63. 

Priv.  Huntsman,  Thomas  C.;  rec't;  mus.  Dec.  29,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co. 
May  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya  ,  May  20, 
'64;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  New  York,  Aug.  9,  '64;  bu.  in  Cypress 
Hill  Gem.,  L.  I. 

Priv.  Ingram,  Alban  D.,  22  yrs.  machinist,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Jackson,  William  C.,  20  yrs  ,  wheelwright,  Sugartown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action 
at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya,,  May  18, '64;  died  of  wds.  Sept, 
18,  '64. 

Priv.  Keeley,  John  W.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Yincent;  mus.  Sept,  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at 
Strawberry  Plains,  Ya.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  par.  March  3,  '65;  ex.  April  18, 
'65;  dis.  at  Philadelphia,  per  order  77,  War  Dept.,  A.  G.  O. 

Priv.  Kerr,  Jacob,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Rockville;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis. 
on  surg.  cert.  Oct.  12,  '63,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.;  died  at 
same  place  of  chron.  diarr.  Oct.  27,  '63. 

Priv.  Massey,  Joseph,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Milltown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches  near 
Fort  Anderson,  N.  C.,  Feb.  1,  '65;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of  wds.  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  May  19,  '65. 

Priv.  Maxton,  Hunter,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Uwchland;  mus.  Oct.  8,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  congestive  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  25,  '62. 

Priv.  Maxton,  James  H.,  36  yrs.,  pudler,  Pughtovvn;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  McAffee,  Davis,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Yincont;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of 
wds.  at  IT.  S.  Hosp.,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  June  10,  '65. 

Priv.  McCluen,  James,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Milltown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hammond 
Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  June  14,  '64. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    F.  523 

Priv.  McCartney,  Abner,  21  yrs.,  news  agent,  West  Chester;  nous  Sept.  20,  '01, 

for  3  yrs.-  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  IS,  '02. 
Priv.  Meeteer,  William  T.,  19  yrs.,  paper  maker,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '(14,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  dis.  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.  by  G.  O.,  July  19,  '05;  ab.  sick  from  May  10,  '05. 
Priv.  Milborne,  Mark,  40  yrs.,  paper  maker,  West  Chester;  served  as  priv.  in 

!)th  1'.  V.  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Get  8,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  9,  '04,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Minim,  William,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Gap,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Mock,  Jesse,  27  yrs  ,  miner,  Caernarvon,  Berks  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  St.  Helena,  S   C.,  Jan.  12,  '63. 
Priv.  Navin.  John,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Sadsbury;  mus.  Oct.  8,  '01,  for  3  yrs.; 

killed  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16.  '04. 
Priv.  Oppermau,  John,  27  yrs.,  cradle  maker,  Lionville;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec   8,  '01. 
Priv    Peoples,  James,  35  yrs.,  farmer,  Lionville;  mus.  Oct.   17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '04;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04. 
Priv.  Perry.  David  C.,  32  yrs.,  foreman,  Pughtown;  mus.  Oct.  1,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Pharoah,  Evans,   18  yrs.,  mason,  \test  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March    15,  '04,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04;  tr.  to  Co.  G,  18th  Regt. 

Vet.  Res.  Corps.     [Dis.  Aug.  28,  '65.] 
Priv.  Pierce,  Enos  W.,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Booth's  Corner;  mus.  Oct.  1,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04. 
Priv.  Quigg,  John,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Phoenixville;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ret.;    re-mus.  March   15,   '04,  to   date    Feb.  29,  '04;    killed    in   action  at 

Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '04.     [Left  on  the  field.] 
Priv.  Reedy,  Jacob,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Nantmeal;  mus.  Oct.  1,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

cet.;   re-mus.  March    15,  '64,  to   date    Feb.  29,  '64;    killed  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Reynolds,  Eli,  22  yrs.;  farmer,  St.  Mary's;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Roatcb,  Lewis  A..  20  yrs.,  engineer,  Barren  Hill;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '04,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Roberts,  William  M.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Pughtown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  18,  '62. 
Priv.  Rogan,  Michael,  21    yrs.,  boatman,  Coatesville;    served  as  priv.  in   15th 

Ohio  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64, 

to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed   while  on  picket  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June 

28,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  D,  div.  4,  grave  "37. 
Priv.  Schuler,  Alonzo.  21  yrs.,  auger  maker,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '01, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  eapt'd  in  action 

at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  par.  March  3,  '05;  ex.  April  23, 

'65;  dis.  July  20,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept.  77,  A.  G.  0, 


524  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Scott,  Samuel  G.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Edgemont,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  Sept.  23, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64:  wd.  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out 
on  acct.  of  wds.;  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  since  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Shannon,  William  C.,  30  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  7,  '63. 

Priv.  Shewey,  Edward,  20  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Union  Forge,  Lebanon  Co.;  mus. 
Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Short,  John  W.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Pughtovvn;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  deserted  while  on  vet. 
furlough  May  16,  '64. 

Priv.  Short,  Thomas  H.;  reduced  to  ranks  from  corp.  March  14,  '63;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out  in  hosp.; 
since  June  23,  '64;  no  dis.  furnished. 

Priv.  Smith,  Elias  H.,  18  yrs.,  fanner,  East  Nantmeal ;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
died  yrs.;  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  May  30,  '62. 

Priv.  Springer,  Wilson  G.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  at  West  Chester,  by  Hon.  T. 
Haines,  pres.  judge,  Oct.  10,  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 

Priv.  Starr,  James  S.,  38  yrs.,  machinist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Yet.  Res.  Corps,  at 
Philadelphia,  Jan.  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Stephens,  Henry,  18  yrs.,  plasterer,  East  Nantmeal;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  died  of  congestive  fever  at  Hilton  Head.,  S.  C.,  Jan.  7,  62. 

Priv.  Stevenson,  Abraham,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Stiteler,  William  E.,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Kimberton ;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus  out  Oct.  10,  '64,  at  exp.  v,f  term. 

Priv.  Thomas,  Abraham,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Uwchland;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 

Priv.  Walker,  John  H.,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Hayesville;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Williams  Robert  M.,  23  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  served  as  priv.  in 
2d  P.  Y.  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Ya.,  July  30,  '64.  died  of  wds.  at  field  bosp.  Aug.  10,  '64. 

Priv.  Williamson,  Franklin,  18  yrs.,  engineer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C,,  May  25,  '62. 

Priv.  Wilson,  John  W.,  42  yrs.,  farmer,  Cain;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.,  vet.; 
rc-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  $30  stopped  from  pay  for  ap 
prehension  as  deserter;  returned  to  duty  without  trial  or  loss  of  pay;  ab. 
sick  in  gen.  hosp.  since  Jan.  30,  '65;.  no  dis.  furnished. 

Priv.  Winterbottom,  John  P.,  33  yrs.,  tailor,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept,  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.,  at  Hilton  Head.,  S.  C.,  Aug.  18,  '62. 

Priv.  Wolf,  George  W.,  29  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Woodward,  Jesse,  44  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  died  of  bilious  intermittent  fever  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Oct.  26,  '63. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   F.  525 

Priv.  Wright,  George  E.,  18  yrs.,  carpenter,  Christiana,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Oct. 

1(1,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 

Corp.  George  W.  Ordaway,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '05. 
Corp.  Henry  C.  Reagan;  rec't;  mus.  May  10,  '04.  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  19, 

'04;  pr.  to  corp.  April  22,  '05;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  't!5. 
Corp.  Allen  McGeclian,  sub.,  Oct.  !.">,  '03,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 

N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  July  20,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Benjamin  Stehman,  sub.,  Oct.  10,  '03,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  Oth  corp.  July  20, 

'05?  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Corp.  Thomas  K.  McClure,  drafted,  Oct.  20,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  July 

20,  '05;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 

Corp.  Elias  Minich,  sub.,  Oct.  21,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Musician  John  Silverthorne,  sub.,  Sept.  25,  '03,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Applegate,  Charles,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '04,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  March  14,  '05; 

arrested  May  14,  '65;  sentenced  by  gen.  court-martial  to  confinement  at 

hard  labor  for  2  mos.;  forfeit  all  pay  due  from  March  14  to  May  14,  '65; 

G.  0.  13,  2d  div.,  10th  corps,  dated  June  3,  '05. 

Priv.  Anderson,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  15,  '03,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  5,  '04. 
Priv.  Atherton,  William  D.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  27,  '05. 
Priv.  Baker,  Michael  N.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Batman,  Patrick,  sub.,  March  1,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  uius.  cut  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Barnes,  Robert  P.;  rec't;  mus.  May  10,  '04,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  19, 

'64  ;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04;  mus 

out  Aug.  28,  '05. 

Priv.  Beck,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '05,  for  I  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.   Benjamin,   Francis  0.  R.,  sub.,  Oct.  14,  '03,  for  3  yr.s.;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green   Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04;  died  of  chron.  diarr.   at 

Hampton,  Va.,  Aug.  23,  '04. 

Priv.  Bills,  Philo,  drafted,  Oct.  3,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Bourke,  John,  sub.,  March  2,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Bradford,  William  H.,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Brown,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  1,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Bruce,  James,  sub.,  Nov.  3,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Bryer,  James,  sub.,  Aug.  25,  '04,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Burhn,  Henry,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  3  yrs  ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Cassidy,  Peter,  sub.,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Christian,  James,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  10,  '05. 
Priv.  Crandall,  George  R.,  sub.,  March  3,  '05,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Daur,  Jacob,  sub.,  Oct.  1.  '<*3,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Strawberry 

Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '04. 

Priv.  Eckert,  Henry,  sub.,  Oct.  19,  '£3.  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  10,  '05. 
Priv.  Englehart,  Charles,  sub.,  Oct.  1,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Evarts,  John,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '04,  for  1  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  ;G5. 
Priv.  Fisher,  Wellington  S.;  rec't;  mus.  May  11,  '04,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May 

19,  '04;  killed  in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  4,  '64. 
Priv.  Fisk,  Edgar,  sub.,  Feb.  26,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  5,  '65. 
Priv.  Foster,  Jeremiah,  sub.,  Nov.  23.  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


526  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Forman,  Cyrus,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  'G4;  dis.  May  15,  '65. 

Priv.  French,  Clinton,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Frey,  Joseph,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gay,  George  D,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Gilchain,  Philip,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gillen,  Nicholas,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gorman,  Malachi,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 
Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  in  hosp.  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Grimes,  Patrick,  sub.,  Oct.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hall,  Seth  N.,  drafted,  Oct.  3,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Harper,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  and  capt'd  in  action 
at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  while 
a  pris'r  at  Petersburg,  Va,,  June  15,  '64. 

Priv.  Hart,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hayes,  Patrick,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Ilileman,  John  H.,  drafted,  Sept,  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28.  '65. 

Priv.  Hixenbaugh,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Hollinworth.  Thomas,  sub.,  March   1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Huber,  John,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Jefts,  George  H.,  sub.,  Nov.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Jones,  George,  sub.,  Nov.  17,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Leideritz,  Edmund,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  18,  '65. 

Priv.  Lewis,  William  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Martin,  Hugh,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65 ;  dis.  May  30,  '65. 

Priv.  Martin,  Patrick,  drafted,  July  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  May  17,  '65. 

Priv.  Maybury,  Isaac,  sub.,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs  ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  Oct.  15,  '64. 

Priv.  McWilliams,  Moore,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Miller,  Adolph,  sub.,  Feb.  26,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Mulhall,  James,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Murphy,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Nelson,  John  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  O'Brine,  John,  sub.,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mis.  in  action  at  Drury's 
Bluff,  Va.,  May  14,  '64;  erroneously  marked  a  deserter  and  dropped  from 
roll;  was  found  a  pris'r  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  Feb.  22,  '65;  sent  to  Camp 
Parole,  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  be  remained  until  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Pete,  Solon,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fcver  at  Point 
of  Rocks,  Va.,  Jan.  8,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  A, 
div.  3,  grave  86. 

Priv.  Pitt,  John,  sub  ,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Pursner,  David  G  ,  drafted,  Feb.  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Reedy,  Michael,  drafted,  July  9,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps,  Jan.  7, '65. 

Priv.  Regan,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Richards,  James  O.,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Rogers,  Henry,  sub.,  Oct.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY    F.  527 

Priv.  Rogbt.  Abraham,  sub.,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  Sherman  Hosp.,  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.,  April  15,  '65. 

Priv.  Sandford,  Peter,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Sassaman.  Thomas;  rec't;  mus.  May  10,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  19, 
'64;  \vd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus. 
out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Schmidt,  Jacob,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr:  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Schrader,  Charles,  drafted,  June  2,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Schutz,  Elias  L.,  sub.,  Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Scott,  James,  sub.,  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  3  yrs;  dis.  July  11,  '65. 

Priv.  Scott.  William  L.;  rec't;  mus.  April  15,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  '2, 
'64;  wd.  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  11,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Shafner,  George,  sub,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  Aug.  12,  '64. 

Priv.  Skinner,  Moses  T.,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Slick,  Adolpb,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  William  J.,  sub.,  July  28,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Soper,  Francis  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Stillwell,  Samuel,  drafted,  July  13,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  refused  to  perform  mili 
tary  duty;  sentenced  by  court-martial  in  Feb.,  '64,  to  confinement  at  Fort 
Clinch,  Fla.,  for  6  moe.;  died  of  consumption  at  that  place  May  9,  '(54. 

Priv.  Tierney,  Stephen.  Sept,  24,  '63,  for  3  yr?.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  raus.  out;  since  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Wallace,  Jacob,  sub.,  Nov.  2,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Wamsher,  Daniel,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  post 
hosp.,  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  Aug.  3,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cera.  sec.  20,  grave  37. 

Priv.  Wannerwich,  Philip,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Dec.  18,  '64. 

Priv.  Webster,  Josiah,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  March  13,  '65. 

Priv.  White,  Albert  H.,  sub.  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  White,  Milton  II.;  rec't;  mus.  April  18,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  2, 
'64;  killed  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64. 

Priv.  Wilson,  Edward  C.,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  17,  '64. 

Priv.  Wingate,  Henry;  rec't;  mus.  Oct  27,  '64,  for  1  yr  ;  killed  in  action  at 
Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65. 

Priv.  Wolf,  William,  sub..  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Woodsides,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  15,  '64,  for  I  yr ;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

COMPANY    0,  BROOMALL    GUARDS. 

Capt.  Jesse  L.  Cummins,  22  yrs.,  law  student,  Media;  served  as  priv.  in  9th 
P.  V.  in  3  mos.  service;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  res.  and  bon.  dis. 
at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C  ,  May  1.  '62.  [Re-entered  service  during  emer 
gency  June  20,  '63,  as  priv.  in  Co.  I,  29th  Pa.  Militia;  mus.  out  with 
regt.  Aug.  1,  '63;  was  subsequently  drafted,  but  exempted  ;  died  at  home 
of  consumpton  Dec.  31,  '66.] 

Capt.  Lewis  Y.  Evans;  pr.  from  1st  lieut.  Co.  A.,  97th  P.  V.,  to  date  May  1, 
'62;  placed  in  com.  of  co  June  22,  '62;  res.  Oct.  23,  '62.  [Re-entered 
service  during  emergency  June  20,  '63,  as  1st  lieut.  Co.  D,  27th  Pa.  Mi 
litia;  rautf.  out  with  regt.  Aug.  1,  '63;  again  re-entered  service  as  capt. 
Co.  M,  181st  P.  V.  (20th  Pa.  Cav.),  Feb.  16,  '64;  mus.  out  June  26,  '65.] 


528  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Capt.  Caleb  Hoopes,  45  yrs.,  butcher,  Upper  Providence;  first  entered  service  as 
corp.  Co.  F,  4th  P.  V.,  for  3  mos.  April  20,  '61,  and  pr.  to  2d  lieut.;  mus. 
as  1st  lieut.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  capt.  Oct.  23,  '62;  mus.  out  Oct. 
IT,  '64,  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Elected  sheriff  of 
Delaware  Co.,  Pa.,  for  3  yrs.  Oct.  9,  '66.] 

Capt.  Washington  W.  James,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Edgemont;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 
15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  15,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64; 
no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  pr.  to  com.  sergt.  April  1,  '65;  pr.  to  capt. 
May  1,  '65;  mus.  July  10,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C., 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  Gasway  0.  Yarnall,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Media;  mus.  Sept,  26,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th 
sergt.  Sept.  4,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  lieut,  Oct.  23,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Since  dis.  was  ap.  a  deputy  provost  marshal 
7th  Pa.  Dis.  (Chester  and  Delaware  Counties);  no  date  given.]. 

1st  Lieut.  Cheyney  T.  Haines,  19  yrs.,  miller,  Chandlerville ;  mus,  as  priv.  Oct. 

28,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Dec.  10,  '63;  vet.;  re.mus.  March  16,  '64, 
to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 
May  20,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery.  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va., 
June  30,  164;  pr.  to  sergt,  maj.  Sept.  18,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Dec.  1,  '64: 
mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  died  of  wds.  in 
U.  S.  IIosp.,  New  York,  Jan.  27,  '65.     [Pr.  to  brev.  capt.  by  order  of 
War  Dept,  to  rank  from  March  13,  '65.] 

1st  Lieut,  Isaiah  Bird,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9*,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  July  1,  '63;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb. 

29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Oct.   26,  '64;  pr.  to 
1st  lieut.  May   1,  '65;  mus.  May  26,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon, 
N.  C.,  Aug.  28.  '65. 

2d  Lieut,  Joseph  M.  Borrell,  32  yrs.,  carpenter,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  13,  '62.  [Lie-entered 
service  Sept.,  '64,  for  3  yrs.,  in  203d  P.  V.j 

2d  Lieut.  William  H.  Eves,  35  yrs.,  merchant,  Nether  Providence;  first  entered 
service  as  sergt,  Co.  I,  9th  P.  V.,  for  3  mos.  April  22,  '61;  mus.  Oct.  3, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt,  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Sept.  4,  '62;  pr. 
to  2d  lieut.  Nov.  13,  '62;  not  mus.  until  July  1,  '63;  wd.  in  trenches,  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  July  10,  '64;  mus.  out  at  Chapin's  Farm,  Va,,  Oct.  22, 
'64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Elected  treasurer  of  Delaware  County,  Pa.,  for  2 
yrs.  Oct.  12,  '65.] 

2d  Lieut.  Jeremiah  Yoast,  21  yrs.,  butcher,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  and 
to  1st  sergt,,  dates  not  known;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  May  26, 
'65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  Reuben  H.  Smith,  43  yrs.,  physician,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  hosp.  steward,  Sept.  4,  '62. 


*Where  the  star  [*]  appears  in  Companies  G,  H  and  I,  it  indicates  probable  date  of  first 
muster,  the  actual  date  being  dropped  from  rolls  at  the  re-muster  of  veterans. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY  G.  529 

1st  Sergt.  William  M.  Colloum,  32  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  Ifi,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4tb  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '01;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to 
2d  sergt.  Sept  4,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Nov.  13,  '62;  mus.  out  Oct.  17, 
'64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Sergt.  Franklin  P.  Clopp,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept. 
9,*  61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  \vd. 
in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04;  pr.  to  corp. 
date  unknown;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  ab.  on  furlough  at  mus. 
oat.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  John  C.  Morton,  25  yrs.,  seaman,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  3d  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '61;  tr.  to  Co.  I,  97th  P.  V.,  as  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62. 
[See  Co.  I.] 

Sergt.  Thomas  J.  McMullin,  23  yrs.,  printer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d 
sergt.  Sept.  4,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Nov.  13,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16, 
'64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64 ;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hampton,  Va.,  May  26, 
'65.  [Died  of  consumption  at  his  home,  Dec.  5,  '65.] 

Sergt.  Thomas  J.  Wade,  24  yrs.,  laborer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61; 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  1st 
eorp.  May  26,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Sept.  4,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Nov.  13, 
'62;  mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Simon  Litzenburg,  20  yrs.,  carpenter,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  corp. 
Sept.  4,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Nov.  13,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '63; 
wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  mor 
tally  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at 
field  bosp.  18th  corps,  Aug.  1,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  City  Point,  Va., 
sec.  D,  div.  4,  grave  174. 

Sergt.  Reese  L.  Weaver,  19  yrs.,  miller,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap  8th  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp. 
Sept.  4,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Nov.  13,  '62;  died  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  New 
York,  Oct.  12,  '63;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I.,  grave  897. 

Sergt.  Albin  Edwards,  30  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Middletown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,* 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5tb  corp.  Sept.  4,  '62; 
pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Oct.  15,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan. 
1,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 

Sergt.  Eli  B.  Grubb,  24  yrs.,  cabinet  maker,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  10,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Sept.  5,  '62;  pr.  to 
4th  corp.  Nov.  13,  '62;  pr.  to  sergt.  June  1,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  17,  '64, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  David  R.  Cochran,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61, for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  7th  corp. 
Oct.  10,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to 
sergt,  June  6,  '65;  pr.  to  qr.-mr.  sergt.  July  19,  '65. 

Sergt.  John  L.  Ray,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Cemetery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date  un 
known;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 
34 


530  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Sergt.  Charles  E.  Ottey,  18  yrs.,  painter,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date 

unknown;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Sergt.  Charles  Gray,  41  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61.  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.,-  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19, 

'65 ;  ab.  on  furlough  at  mus.  out. 
Sergt.  Thomas  S.  Dicker,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Marple;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 

date  unknown;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with  eo.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  William  N.  Baker,  40  yrs.,  farmer,  Middletown;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  dis.  on  surg. 

cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  May  25,  '62. 
Corp.  William  H.  Cox,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Wilmington,  Del.;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  corp.  Oct.   15,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  1st 

corp.  Sept.  4,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  27,  '63. 
Corp.  Henry  G.  Yocum,   19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61;  died  of  measles  at  Fortress  Monroe, 

Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 
Corp.  Israel  Oat,  42  yrs.,  coppersmith,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap. 

6th  corp.  Oct.  15,  '61 ;  pr.  to  4tb  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  died  at  Hilton  Head. 

S.  C.,  Aug.  10,  '62. 
Corp.  John  Doyle,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Marple;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.   10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Sept.  5,  '62;  died  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  26,  '63. 
Corp.  Hillary  Fox,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as.  priv.  Sept.  16,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Dec.  5,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.   - 
Corp.  Henry  Hoofstitler,  24  yrs.;  farmer,  Springfield;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton 

Head,  S.  C.,  March  3,  '63;  died  on  board  steamer  Arago  in  New  York 

Harbor,  March  13,  '63.     [Bu.  rec.  says  died  March  17,  '63.] 
Corp.  Patrick  Hughes,  34  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  as.  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date 

Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May 

20,  '64. 
Corp.  Thomas  Dunn,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date 

Feb.  29,  '64;  dis.  at  Richmond,  Va.,  by  G.  0.  291,  War  Dept.,  Oct.  7,  to 

date  Sept.  11,  '65. 
Corp.  John  S.  Culbert,  22  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  mus.  out  Oct.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of 

term. 
Corp.  Eli  Dunlap,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  Chandlerville;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 

July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Henry  Hards,  23  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   G.  531 

Corp.  Joseph  R.   Parsons,  18  yrs.,  printer,  Media;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  1(5,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 

date  unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  A  up.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  E/ekiel  T.  Richie,  26  yrs.,  seaman,  Marple;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept,  9,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date  un 
known;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out;  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  since  May  15,  '65. 
Corp.  John  Edwards,  18  yrs.,  oc.  unknown,  Media;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv.  Jan.  22 

'63;  joined  co.  Feb.  22,  '63;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July 

30,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  July  19,  '65;  died  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  21,  '65. 
Corp.  Patrick  II.  Harrigan,  24  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv. 

Jan.  9,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  26,  '63;  pr.  to  corp.  July  19,  '65; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  Jonathan  S.   Farra,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  Springfield;  mus.  Sept.   9,*  '61, 

for   3  yrs.;   ap.  musician    Oct.   15,  '61;    vet.;  re-mus.  March    16,  '64,  to 

date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Died  at  home  April 

17,  '66.] 
Musician  George  W.  Ross,  14  yrs.,  minor,  Coatesville;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.    1, 

'64;  dis.  by  G.  0.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Portsmouth  Grove,  R,  I.,  Aug.  17,  '05. 
Teamster  Enoch  Dunlap,  44  yrs.,  pump  maker,  Coatesville;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  at   Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  on  surg.  cert,  (injury  received  on 

James  Island,  S.  C.)  July  14,  '62. 
Priv.  Baker,  Nehemiah,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  Edgemont;   mus.  Sept.  29,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Jan.  8,  '64. 
Priv.  Barr,  George  P.,  20  yrs  ,  farmer,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.;  no  record. 
Priv.  Chambers,  Samuel  B.  F.,  22  yrs.,  plasterer,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Coyle,  William  S.,  36  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Devine,  William,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Cedar  Hollow;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;   dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by   Judge  W.   Wollerton,  at  West 

Chester,  Oct.  18,  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 
Priv.  Dickson,  John,  38  yrs.,  spinner,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs;  died 

of  chron.  diarr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  21,  '62. 
Priv.  Fawkes,  Edward,  41  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Frame,  Eber  B.,  41  yrs.,  farmer,  Unionville;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Gardhouse,  Joseph,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.- 

mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Green,  Charles,  28  yrs.,  plasterer,   Media;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  congestive  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  7,  '63. 
Priv.  Green,  George,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  died 

of  chron.  diarr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  20,  '62;  bu.  rec.  Sept.  22,  '62 
Priv.  Grindrod,  James,  36  yrs.,  clerk,  Avondale;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '63;  dis.  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.,  Beverly,  N.  J.,  Nov.  3,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


532  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Hatcher,  Charles,  38  yrs.,  bricklayer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  26, 

>61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  20,  '62. 
Priv.  Henderson,  John  H.,  18  yrs.,  carter,  Media;  mus.  Nov.  5,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

deserted  from  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester,  Nov.  5,  '61. 
Priv.  Henry,  William,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65 
Priv.  Herkins,  John  G.,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester  Co.;  rec't;  mus.  Oct.  22,  '62, 

for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Dec.  25,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va., 

July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Herkins,  W.  L.  Henderson,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at 

Wilmington,  N.  C.,  March  9,  '65. 
Priv.  Hinkson,  Thomas  L.,  23  yrs.,  laborer,  Middletown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  Dec.  10,  '63. 
Priv.  Hoopes,  Isaac  A.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Hutchinson,  Ephraim,  24  yrs.,  engineer,  Leiperville;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Hd.,  S.  C.,  March  31,  '63. 
Priv.  Johnson,  Joseph  S.,   19  yrs.,  farmer,  Haverford;  mus.  Oct.   11,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  18,  '62. 
Priv.  Johnson,  Stephen,  26  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Edgemont;  mus.  Sept  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 
Priv.  Jones,  Charles  C.,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Chandlerville;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yr?.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Jones,  Thomas  T.,  29  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 

Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp., 

Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  June  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Laugblin,  John,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64 ', 

mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Leonard,  Thomas,  31  yrs.,  laborer,  Nether  Providence;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Levis,  Thomas  J.,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  Middletown;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  deserted  at  Baltimore,  Nov.  23,  '61.    [Dis.  Nov.  1,  '61,  mus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  Lloyd,  Samuel  H.,  39  yrs.,  tailor,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.; 

re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery 

Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Malaney,  William,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  Fernaudiua,  Fla.,  Dec.  18,  '63. 
Priv.  Mclntosh,  Thomas,  44  yrs.,  weaver,  Middletown;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Secessionville,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  16,  '62; 

again  wd.  in  trenches  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus. 

March  15,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  at  Phila 
delphia.     [Died  at  home  May  30,  '69.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   G.  533 

Priv.  McKenna,  Hugh,  44  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  nuis.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 

Priv.  Miller,  Alexander,  32  yrs.,  laborer,  Leiperville;  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  25,  '63. 

Priv.  O'Brien,  Terrence,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Marple;  inns.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-raus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  Aug.  17,  '64. 

Priv.  Otty,  Thomas  J.,  19  yrs.,  sawyer,  Howellville;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  22,  '62. 

Priv.  Popjoy,  William,  IS  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester,  mus.,  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 
Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps.  Jan.  1,  '65. 

Priv.  Pugh,  Isaac  II.,  21  yrs.,  carpenter,  Middletown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  Oct.  25,  '63.  [Bu.  rec 
Nov.  2,  '63.] 

Priv.  Rapp,  Amos  R.,  43  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis. 
on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C..  Sept.  30,  '62. 

Priv.  Ray,  Joseph,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in 
trenches,  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  1,  '63;  mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp. 
of  term. 

Priv.  Rourke,  Michael,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  25,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corp,  Aug.  1,  '63  and  dis.  [Re-entered  service 
March,  '65,  for  1  yr.,  in  Co.  G,  3d  Regt.  Vet,  Rev.  Corps.] 

Priv.  Russell,  James,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  New  York,  Jan.  8,  '64.  [Bu 
rec.  Jan.  30,  '64;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I.] 

Priv.  Seaborn,  Alexander,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester;  mus.  Nov.  4,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  again 
wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  Oct.  10,  '64. 

Priv.  Snyder,  William  S.,  20  yrs.,  laborer,  Leiperville;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  in  U.  S. 
Hosp.  at  Smithfield,  N.  C. 

Priv.  Talbot,  Acquilla  McDonald,  31  yrs.,  cooper,  Hopewell  Twp.,  York  Co.; 
mus.  Oct.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery  Hill,  near  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Thomas,  Frederick,  43  yrs.,  laborer,  Warren  Tavern,  Chester  Co.;  mus. 
Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.  [Died  at 
home,  Dec.  6,  '64.] 

Priv.  Thomas,  William  F.,  31  yrs.,  carpenter,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  10,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Waddell,  Thomas  P.,  23  yrs.,  butcher,  Middletown;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  lid.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64  ; 
again  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  25,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct. 
14  ,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


534 


HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


Priv.  Wade,  Edward  B.,   18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at 

Strawberry  Plains,  Ya.,  Aug.   16,  '64;  died  in  rebel  prison  at  Salisbury 

N.  C.,  Dec.  18,  '64.     [Another  report  gives  date  and  place  of  death  An- 

dersonville,  Dec.  15,  '65.] 
Priv.  Walls,  Henry,  36  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Walton,  Samuel  R.,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Newtown  ;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Waters,  Patrick,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mud.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 

Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  for  wds.  at 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  Chester,  May  16,  '65. 
Priv.  Weaver,  James  G.,  30  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Media;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.   15,  '62.     [Died  at 

home  Feb.,  '67. J 
Priv.  White,  George,  43  yrs.,  mason.  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Sept.   9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  1,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wilson,  Crosley  B.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Worrell,  Edward,  32  yrs.,  mason,  Marple;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus. 

out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Worrell,  James  H.,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Providence;  mus.  Oct.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  another  regt.  at  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester,  Nov.  1,  '61, 

on  a  previous  enlistment  by  order  of  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin. 
Priv.  Worrell,  John,  21  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs., 

died  of  phthesis  pulmonaris  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  12,  '62. 
Priv.  Worrell,  Philip,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown;  mus.  Sept.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Wright,  James,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Marple;  mus.  Sept.  26,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  chron.  cliarr.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Nov  20,  '63. 
Priv.  Wright,   William,  43  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Media;    mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Oct.  7,  '61  ;  re-enlisted 

in  regt.  Dec.  20,  '62  ;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Nov.  28,  '63- 
Priv.  Young,  Charles,  40  yrs.,  cordwainer,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  14,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Young,  Frederick,  24  yrs.,  painter,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

tr.  to  another  regt.  at  Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester,  Nov.  1,  '61,  on  a  pre 
vious  enlistment  by  order  of  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  Mathias  Kramer  (or  Cramer),  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp. 

July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Francis  Ebel,  drafted,  Nov.  2,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  Wilson,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.;  dis.  June  24,  '65. 

[Re-enlisted  in  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   G. 

Priv.  Anderson,  William,  drafted,  Aug.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  1,  '64; 

apprehended  Sept.  20,  '64;  ah.  since  arrest  at  Washington,  D.  0. 
Priv.  Asberry,  Klisha;  rec't;  mus.  July  15,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  a  deserter  from  rebel 

army;  tr  to  Dept.  Southwest  July  13,  '64. 

Priv.  Barber,  Joseph,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Barker,  John,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Oct.  23,  '64. 
Priv.  Barney,  Michael ;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  2,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Rentz,  Lewis,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  City 

Point,  Vs.,  Aug.  19,  '64. 

Priv.  Bish,  Anthony,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Blandin,  George;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  22, '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  Feb.  9,  '65. 
Priv.  Brady,  John  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery 

Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  30,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out;  since  June 

30,  '64. 
Priv.  Brensinger,  Joseph;  rec't;  mus.  April  13,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May 

2,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64; 

dis.  July  5,  '65. 

Priv.  Brooks,  Jacob  K.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Brooks,  William  A.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Burgess,  Jease,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  12,  '65. 
Priv.  Carr,  Thomas;  rec't;  mus.  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  13,  '65. 
Priv.  Carter,  Henry  C.;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Caul,  Philip,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Oct.  2,  '64. 
Priv.  Chamberlain,  Oscar,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Chavanne,  John  P.;   rec't;    mus    Feb.  28,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June 

13,  '65. 

Priv.  Collum,  Charles;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  18,  '65! 
Priv.  Conrad,  John  P.,  sub.,  March  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out.' Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Dawson,  William;  rect.;  mus.  Aug.  11,  '64;  mortally  wd.  in  action  at  Fort 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.   15,  '65;  died  of  wds.  at  Federal  Point,  N.  C.,  Jan. 

17.  '65. 

Priv.  Defaux,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  30,  '64. 
Priv.  Demmick,  Calvin  S.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  at  post  hosp.,  Ra- 

liegh,  N.  C.,  May  22,  '65. 

Priv.  Dodge,  Harry  A.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv   Douglass,  Andrew  J.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Duganne,  Michael,  sub,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Dunham,  Charles,  sub.,  March  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Edwins,  Ebenezer  B.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Farra,  William  B.;  rec't;  mus.  April   13,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May 

2,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Fields,  Samuel;  rec't;  mus.  April  13,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  May  2,  '64; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Fisher,  Henry;  rec't;  mus.  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  17,  '65. 
Priv.  Fit/simmons,  Peter;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  16,  '65. 
Priv.  Fletcher,  Stephen  J.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs ;  dis.  May  26,  '65. 
Priv.  Foster,  Harry  E.,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  May  17,  '65. 


536  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Frost,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Furguson,  John  C.,  sub.,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hall,  William,  J.  F.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hanin,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  jr.-,  deserted  March  9,  '65. 
Priv.  Hegadore,  Malvin  K.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Heitze,  Frederick,  drafted,   Sept.  24,  '63,   for  3   yrs.;  killed   in  action   at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  March  20,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Ceni.,  City 

Point,  Ya.,  sec.  F,  div.  1,  grave  128. 

Priv.  Hoffman,  George  W.,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hollering,  Thomas  D.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Howe,  Robert,  sub.,  Feb.  24,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hunter,  Walter  S.,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  rnus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Ingalls,  Electrus,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Inhoff,  William,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 
Priv.  Jeonott,  James,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv  Kelly,  Urias,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Knox,  Robert,  sub.,  Feb.  26,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Koch,  John  H.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Kuhn,  Charles,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;    tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps  Jan.   7,  '65;  dis. 

Sept.  19,  '65. 

Priv.  Lane,  Janies  C.,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lightner,  John,  sub.,  March  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Littell,  Arthur,  drafted,  Aug.  15,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Logsden,  Samuel,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Marks,  Alfred,  sub.,  Feb   23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McCarty,  Daniel,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McGarvey,  Ftancis,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McKinney,  Bernard;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  13, '65,  for  1  yr.    [Notonmus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  McKnight,  Alfred;    rec't;    mus.  March    4,  '65,   for  1    yr.;    deserted   May 

27,  '65. 
Priv.  Meiser,  Herman,  drafted,  July  29,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  date  unknown 
Priv.  Meredith,  John,  sub,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr  ;  dis.  July  6,  '65. 
Priv.  Miller,  George,  drafted,  Aug.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  4,  '64. 
Priv.  Miller,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Aug.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Mitchell,  William  J.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Morris,  Thomas,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Murray,  William  D.;  rec't;   mus.  March  6,  '65,  for  3   yrs;    died  at  pest 

hosp\,  Ralegh,  N.  C.,  May  18.,  '65. 

Priv.  Nesch,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  O'Neil,  John;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Feb.  9,  '65. 
Priv.  Orth,  Alexandria,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Read,  Samuel  O.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Reeves,  Merritt   C.,   drafted,   Oct.  24,  '63,  for  3   yrs.;  wd.  in    action    at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va ,  May  20,  '64  ;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  April 

25,  '65. 
Priv.  Reitzel,  Reuben,  sub  ,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   G.  537 

Priv.  Rogers,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  March  23,  '05; 

apprehended  May  19,  '65;  awaiting  trial  by  gen.  court-nuirtial  at  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  at  inus.  out  of  regt. 
Priv.  Rothwein,  Philip,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.   Feb. 

14,  '65. 
Priv.  Salaino,  Theodore,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 

Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.    :>9,   '64;  died    of  cbron.  diarr.  at    U.  S.    Hosp., 

David's  Island,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  '65;  bu.  iu  Cypress   Hill  Cein.,  L.  I, 

grave  2,887. 

Priv.  Samuel,  David,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  23,  '65. 
Priv.  Scott,  Robert;  rec't;  nnis.  Aug.  30,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Seward,  Smith,  sub.,  Aug.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  John  0.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug,  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  Robert,  drafted,  Nov.  3,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  23,  '65. 
Priv.  Smith,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  15,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Stein,  Edward,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Uxley,  Cornelius,  sub.,  March  6,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Vargusen,  George,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  July 

28,  '65. 

Priv.  Ward,  John,  sub ,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Walker,  Okees,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63'  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's 

Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Warner,  Philip  H.,  sub.,  March  14,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Warnock,  James,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  17,  '65. 
Priv.  Williamson,  William  L.,  sub.,  Aug.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Willoughby,  William,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65 

COMPANY  H,  OREBLE  GUARDS. 

Capt.  Charles  Mcllvane,  22  yrs.,  civil  engineer,  Brandy  wine  Mnnor;  mus.  Oct. 
17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  for  disability  June  10,  '63. 

Capt.  George  A.  Lemaistre,  20  yrs.,  merchant,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  sergt.  Oct.  17,  '61 ;  pr.  to  sergt.  maj.  Oct.  31,  '61 ;  pr.  to  2d 
lieut.  April  29,  '62;  mus.  July  10,  '62;  com.  capt.  June  11,  '63,  not  mus.; 
wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on, 
surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Annapolis,  Md.,  Sept.  20,  '64. 

Capt.  Theodore  M.  Smedley,  21  yrs.,  miller,  West  Bradford;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt.  dates  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March 

16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  was  acting  1st  sergt.  from  May  20,  '64;  wd. 
in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 
Aug.  8,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15*,  '65;  pr. 
to  brev.  capt,  by  order  of  War  Dept.,  March  13,  '65;  pr.  to  capt.  April 
5,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldou,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  David  Jones,  35  yrs.,  marble  manufacturer,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  1st  lieut.  Co.  F,  9tb  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Oct. 

17.  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  qr.-nir.,  Oct.  31,  '61. 

1st  Lieut.  Thomas  S.  Taylor,  43  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  2d  lieut.  Oct. 
17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Nov.  5,  '61;  res.  und  hon.  dis.  for  disa 
bility,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  29,  '62. 


538  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

1st  Lieut,  Elwood  P.  Baldwin,  22  yrs.;  bricklayer,  West  Chester;  first  entered 
service  as  sergt.  in  Co.  F,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos  ;  mus.  Sept. 
23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  1st -sergt.  Oct.  It,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  lieut.  Nov.  5,  '61; 
pr.  to  1st  lieut.  April  29,  '62;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  for  disability  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  5,  '62.;  re-enlisted  as  priv.  March  23,  '64;  joined 
co.  June  18,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  March  6,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  April  1,  '65; 
pr.  to  1st  lieut.  and  adjt.  May  26,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  George  H.  Durnall,  19  yrs.,  carpenter,  Dovvningtown  ;  mus.  Sept.  23*, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  5th  corp.  Oct.  It,  '61 ;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr. 
to  sergt.  May  28,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64; 
pr.  to  1st  lieut.  May  1,  '64,  not  mus.;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Ber 
muda  Hd.,  Va,,  May  20,  '64;  body  left  on  field. 

1st  Lieut  Phares  P.  Brown,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Guthrieville;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,* 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64:  to 
date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt,  about  May  23,  '64;  was  1st  sergt.  from 
Aug.  8,  until  Sept.  21,  '64,  when  pr.  to  2d  lieut;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Dec.  5, 
'64;  mus.  April  5,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  .'65. 

2d  Lieut.  Lewis  H.  Watkiu,  18  yrs.,  clerk,  Chadsford,  Delaware  Co.;  mus.  as 
priv.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  sergt. 
Aug.  1,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  com.  2d 
lieut.  May  10,  '64,  not  mus.;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda 
Hd.,  Va,,  May  20,  '64;  body  remained  upon  field,  occupied  by  the  enemy- 

2d  Lieut.  Isaac  L.  Dutton,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lower  Oxford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  corp  and  to  sergt.  dates  unknown  ;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  11,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '65;  mus.  May  25,  '65;  mus. 
out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  Jefferson  T.  Massey,  28  yrs.,  miller,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.  Oct.  It,  '61  ;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Nov.  5,  '61 ;  dis.  on 
surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  8,  '62. 

1st  Sergt  Joseph  H.  Walton,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.  Oct.  It,  '61;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to 
2d  sergt.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Aug.  8,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  Sept.  23,  '64. 

1st  Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Smith,  19  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv. 
Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64; 
wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery  Hill  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64  ;  pr.  to 
corp.  and  to  sergt.  dates  unknown;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  July  1,  '65;  mus.  out 
with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  William  Garver,  26  yrs.,  cabinet  maker,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt  Oct.  It,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to  3d 
sergt.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Oct.  8,  '62.;  killed  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 

Sergt.  Thomas  John,  44  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  1st  corp.  Oct.  It,  '61  ;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to  4th 
sergt.  Nov.  5,  '61;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  May  10,  '62. 
[Re-entered  service  June  26,  63,  for  emergency,  as  priv.  in  Co.  K,  29th 
Pa.  Militia;  dis.  with  regt,  Aug.  1,  '63.] 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    H.  539 

Sergt.  John  A.  Russell,  25  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp  Oct.  17,  '61  ;  pr.  to  sergt.  Nov.  1,  '61;  vet;  re- 
mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Cemetery  Hill,  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '04. 

Sergt.  Robert  Skeen,  Jr.,  19  yrs.,  shoemaker,  Downingtown;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  4tb  corp.  Oct.  17,  '61 ;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  Nov.  1,  '(!! ;  pr.  to  2d 
corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  sergt.  Oct.  8,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  July  26,  '63.  [Re-enlisted  in  3  yrs.  service  Jan.  13,  '(54,  as 
corp.  Co.  M,  20th  Pa.  Cav.  ;'pr.  to  sergt.;  dis.  with  regt.  May  25,  '65;  died 
at  home  of  consumption  June  8,  '66.] 

Sergt.  George  II.  Bennett,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,* 
'01,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to 
date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  about  May  23,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort 
Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fort  Schuyler, 
N.  Y.,  Jan.  30,  '65;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I. 

Sergt.  Robert  J.  Baldwin,  21  yrs.,  tinsmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 
24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  pr.  to  sergt.  about  May 
23,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30, 
'64 ;  mus.  out  Sept.  23,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  Robert  Walker,  37  yrs.,  laborer,  Downingtown;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,* 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '04;  wd.  in 
trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  26,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt. 
dates  unknown  ;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Thomas  E.  Dutton,  19  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  rec't;  raus.  Feb.  2,  '63, 
for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  April  9,  '63 ;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt.  dates  unknown ; 
mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  George  II.  Cook,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  New  London;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date 
unknown;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  19,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Edward  A.  Weidner,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
23,*  '61  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  corp.  date  unknown;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  1,  '65;  ab.  at  mus  out;  on 
detached  service,  S.  0.  No.  68,  War  Dept.  March  1 0,  '65. 

Corp.  George  W.  Burns,  27  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  corp.  Oct.  17,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to 
1st  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 
May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  May 
26,  '64. 

Corp.  Thomas  J.  Henderson,  19  yrs.,  drover,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Oct.  17,  '61 ;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to 
5th  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  May  28,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  Oct.  8, 
'62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  17,  '63.  [Re-enlisted 
in  3  yrs.  service  in  18th  Pa.  Cav.] 

Corp.  William  F.  Smith,  19  yrs.;  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  8th  corp.  Oct.  17,  '61 ;  pr.  to  7th  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61;  pr.  to  6th 
corp.  Nov.  5,  '61;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  May  28,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp.  Oct.  8, 
'62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  15,  '62. 


540  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  James  McConnell,  25  yrs.,  clerk,  East  Nantmeal ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  24, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Nov.  1,  '61 ;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton 

Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2,  '62. 
Corp.  Thomas  W.  Darnell,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Nov.  5,  '61 ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla., 

April  10,  '64. 
Corp.  James  Wood,  28  yrs.,  pudler,  Phoenixville ;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  27,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps  date  unknown. 
Corp.  William  H.  George,  25  yrs.,  plasterer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.,  '62;  tr.  to  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  Feb.  29,  '64. 
Corp.  Isaac  T.  Massey,   18  yrs.,  printer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Nov.  7,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  Feb.  17,  '63;  mus.  out  Nov.  7,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  Christopher  C.  Courtney,  19  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Downingtown;  mus.  Sept. 

23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64:  pr. 

to  8th  corp.  July  1,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  Edward  J.  Hadley,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ap.  musician  May  10,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan. 

1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  Milton  S.  Taylor,  18  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  musician    Oct.   17,  '61;  vet.;  re-mus.  March    16,  '64,  to  date 

Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to  principal  musician  Sept.  18,  '64. 
Musician  Charles  C.  Taylor,  18  yrs.,  artist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs;  ap.  musician  Oct.   17,  '61;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook,  S.  C., 

May  10,  '63.     [Re-entered  service  for  3  yrs.  Jan.  '64,  as  drummer  186th 

P.  V.;  dis.  with  regt.  Aug.  15,  '65.] 
Teamster  Marshal  B.  England,  44  yrs.,  teamster.,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head.,  S.  C.,  Sept.  19,  '62, 
Teamster  Levi  F.  Snyder,  21  yrs.,  fanner,  Rockville;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Ainswortb,  Robert  L.  40  yrs.,  plasterer,  Rockville;  mus.  Oct.  23,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  (epilepsy)  at  Harrisburg  in  Oct.  or  March,  '62. 
Priv.  Allison,  Alfred  C.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Uwchland;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Beihler,  Joseph,  35  yrs.,  dyer,  Manheim,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Oct.  4,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  serg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  10,  '62. 
Priv.  Bellwoar,  John,  23  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Goshen;  mus.  Nov.  5,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp  ,  Philadelphia,  Nov.  5,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term.     [Died  at 

home,  Philadelphia,  April  12,  '67.] 
Priv.  Bookman,  Samuel,  32  yrs.,  tailor,  Marticville;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Brown,  William,  24  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  taken  to  Harrisburg,  Oct.  28,  '61,  by  order  of  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin,  as 

a  deserter  from  Co.  G,  7th  Cav. 
Priv.  Brubaker,   Francis  T.,  30  yrs.,  clerk,  Strasburg;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Burns,  Charles,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Downingtown;  mus.  Oct.  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  22,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD    OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    II.  541 

Priv.  Busser,  Jacob  H.,  40   yrs.,  tinsmith  and  engineer,  West   Chester;  mus. 

Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 

May  20,  '64;  raus.  out  Oct.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Clark,  William,   17  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

re/.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Cross,  James,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  8,  '62.     [Re-entered  3  yrs.'  ser 
vice  in  Co.  B,  lith  Pa.  Cav.] 
Priv.  Cross,  Jonathan,  44  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

mus.  out  Oct.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Bailing,  William,  33  yrs.,  painter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '63,  for  3 

yrs.j'tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Dasey,  Joseph,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Whiteland;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches 

near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  24,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '(J5. 
Priv.  Davidson,  Ezeikel,  26  yrs.,  oc.  unknown,  East  Nantmeal;  mus.  Oct.  4,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  deserted  from  Camp  Wayne,  Oct.  26,  '61.     [Marked  insane  on 

Alphabetical  Roll.] 
Priv.  Davis,  Isaac  B.,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford;  mus.  Sept,  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Hd.,  S.  C.,  March  28,  '63. 
Priv.  Davis,  James  K.,  33  yrs.,  teamster,   Penningtonville;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Hd.,  S.  C.,  Nov.   17,  '02,     [Died  of 

chron.  diarr  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  New  York,  Dec.  19,  '62;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill 

Cem.,  L.  I.,  grave  569.] 
Priv.  Davis,  William  P.,  41  yrs.,  lawyer,  Philadelphia;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  raus.  out  Nov.  23,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Dean,  Christopher,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford  j  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug. 

28,  '65. 
Priv.  Dutton,  Alfred  L.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Elk  Dale;  mus.  Nov.  4,  '61,  for  3  yrs, 

tr.  to  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty,  at  Hilton,  Hd.,  S.  C.,  Nov.  16,  '62. 
Priv.  Evans,  Abner,  32  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  corp.  Oct.  17,  '61;  tr.  to  ranks  at  own  request,  Nov.  1,  '61; 

vet.;  re-inus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Everhart,  James  S.,  20  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Downingtown;  mus.  Sept.  23,* 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '(54;  dis.  on 

surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  Jan.  11,  '65. 
Priv.  Fithian,  Austin  M.,  20  yrs.,  shoemaker,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Ford,  James  G.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to 

U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  by  order  of  War  Dept.,  Feb.  29,  '64. 
Priv.  Gallagher,  James  S.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Brady  wine  Manor;  mus.  Sept.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Hd.,  S.  C.,  July  28,  '62. 
Priv.  Garrett,  George  F.,  34  yrs.,  tailor,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  23,  '62. 

[Re-entered  service  for  emergency  June  18,  '63,  as  priv.  in  Co.  H,  29th 

Pa.  Militia;  dis.  with  co.  Aug.  1,  '63.] 


542 


HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY  SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


Priv.  Goold,  Payne  A.,  21  yrs.,  tobacconist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Nov.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band,  Nov.  9,  '61;  re-enlisted  in  co.  Aug.  31,  '62;  dis. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  St.  Helena,  S.  C.,  Dec.  10,  '62. 
Priv.  Griffith,  Haaford    T.,  21    yrs.,  farmer,  York;   rec't;   mus.  Aug.  25,  '62; 

drowned  while  bathing  in  Kiawah  Creek,  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  June 

4,  '63. 
Priv.  Griffith,  Oliver  A.,  27  yrs.,  laborer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches 

near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  24,  '64;  ab.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  Filbert  St. 

Hosp.,  Philadelphia;  tr.  April  27,  '65,  to  Co.  K,  20th  Yet.  Res.  Corps. 

[Dis.  at  Wheeling,  Ya.,  June  5,  '65.] 
Priv.  Hanson,  John,  18  yrs.,  oc.  unknown,  Oxford;  mus   Sept,  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

deserted  at  Camp  Wayne,  Oct.  26,  '61. 
Priv.  Hardin,  William  H,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Lower  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23, '61,- for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Harvey,  Marshall  B.,  44  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  19,  '62.     [Died 

at  home,  date  unknown.] 
Priv.  Heed,  Harmon,  21  yrs.,  druggist,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  pr.  to  hosp   steward  Oct.  29,  '61. 
Priv.  Hemphill,  William  C.,  27  yrs.,  livery  keeper,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  15, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Hesson,  John,  27  yrs.,  moulder,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Ya.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of 

wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Oct.  17,  '64. 
Priv.  Hosmer,  John  L.,  25  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown;  nius.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.j 

tr.  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Hughes,  John  G.,  44  yrs.,  farmer,  East  Yincent;  mus.  Sept.  27,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Oct.  15,  63. 
Priv.  Humphrey,  Samuel,  35  yrs.,  laborer,  Lionville,  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  6,  '62,  for 

3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  25,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Hd.,  S.  C., 

Oct.  23,  '62. 
Priv.  Hunter,  Samuel,  44  yrs.,  shoemaker,  Downingtown;  mus.  Oct.  12,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  4,  '63. 
Priv.  Jackson,  Milton,  44  yrs.,  wheelwrigh't,  Downingtown;  mus.  Oct.  24,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  June  24,  '63. 
Priv.  Jones,  Peter  T.,  21  yrs.,  laborer,  Mount  Holly,  N.  J.;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61  for 

3  yrs.;  deserted  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  March  16,  '62. 

Priv.  Kimes,  James.  H.,  18  yrs.,  oc.  unknown,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by  Judge  W.  Wollerton,  at  West 
Chester,  Oct.  26  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 

Priv.  Kurl,  Alfred,  40  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
taken  to  Harrisburg  by  order  of  Gov.  A.  G.  Curtin  as  a  deserter  from  Co. 
G,  7th  Pa.  Cav.,  Oct.  28,  '61. 

Priv.  Loud,  Henry,  24  yrs.,  Phoenixville;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  on  acct.  of 
wds.  at  Point  Lookout  Hosp.,  Md.;  since  May  20,  '64. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   H.  543 

Priv.  Loud,  James,  21  yrs.,  laborer,  Phcenixville;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March   16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at 

U.  S.  Hosp  Sept.  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Lovell,  Richard  M.,  24  yrs.,  carpenter.  Chandlerville;  mus.  Oct.   15,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  n-gt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Lovell,  William  T.,  29  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action 

at  Cemetery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at 

U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  July  28,  '64. 
Priv.  Maloney,  Daniel,  33  yrs.,  tailor,  Oxford;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at 

Portsmouth  Grove  Hosp.,  R.  I.,  Oct.  10,  '64. 
Priv.  McKalls,  Amos,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Marticville;  mus.  Oct.  15, '61,  for  3  yra.; 

tr  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  McGrinder,  Joseph,  22  yrs.,  laborer,  Downingtown;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 

for  3   yrs.;    vet.;   re-inus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in 

action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.'MclIenry,  Harrison,  16  yrs.,  farmer,  Guthrieville;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  17,  '64,  at  exp.  of  terra. 
Priv.  Mcllvaine,  John  J.,  34  yrs.,  plumber,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  28,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  McKeever,  John  A.  D.,  18  yrs,  machinist,  Oxford;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Priv.  Miller,  Abia  C.  E.,  19  yrs.,  tinsmith,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  on  acct. 

of  wds.  at  Satterlee  Hosp.,  Philadelphia;  since  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Moore,  Samuel,  44  yrs.;  mason,  res.  unknown;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  19,  '62. 
Priv.  Mulholland,  David,  28  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Xorristown;  mus.  Oct.  22,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  17,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct. 

21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Mulholland,  Hamilton,  42  yrs.,  laborer,  Downingtown;  raus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 
for  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  with  loss 
of  arm  in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  6,  '64 ;  dis.  for  wds.  March 

22,  '65,  at  U.  S.  hosp.,  York,  Pa. 

Priv.  Myers,  George  W.,  26  yrs.,  painter,  Strasburg;  mus.  Oct.   10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Painter,  Albert  P.,  18  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  April  29,  '62. 
Priv.  Patterson,  Benjamin,  33  yrs.,  mason,  West  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Poulson,  Isaac  W.,  19  yrs.,  machinist,  Kennett  Square;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  capt'd  in 

action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  died  while  a  pris'r,  date 

and  place  unknown. 


544  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Reed,  Bernard,  24  yrs.,  laborer,  West  Chester;  raus.   Oct.   10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24,  '01. 
Priv.  Roecker,  Bernard,  31  yrs.,  confectioner  and  baker,  West  Chester;    mus. 

Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band,  Oct.  24.  '61. 
Priv.  Roecker,  Christian,  36  yrs.,  confectioner  and  baker,  West  Chester;  raus. 

Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Shenk,  Hiram,  33  yrs.,  stone  mason,  Marticville;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Smith,  Samuel  R.,  33  yrs.,  painter,  Oxford;  mus.  Oct.  24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va. ,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Steele,  William  M.,  44  yrs.,  carpenter,  Schuylkill  County ;  mus.  Sept.  23,* 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March   16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  ab.  at 

mus.  out;  sick  in  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.;  since  June,  '65. 
Priv.  Steube,  John,  27  yrs.,  tailor,  Strasburg;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr. 

to  regt.  band  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Sullivan,  Ezra  H.,  20  yrs.,  machinist,  Marshalton;  mus.  Oct.  12,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  IT,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Taylor,  Edward  H.,  11  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  April  29,  '62. 
Priv.  Taylor,  John  H.,  43  yrs.,  musician,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  10,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  regt.  band  as  leader  Oct.  24,  '61. 
Priv.  Tinsley,  Alexander,  18  yrs.,  shoemaker,  Coatesville;  mus.  Sept.  23,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Wilson,  William  Granville,  16  yrs.,  minor,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;   dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by  Hon.  T.  Haines,  at  West 

Chester,  Oct.  26,  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  William  Mills,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.; 

wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersbug,  Va.,  July  18,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

[Died  Sept.  1,  '65,  in  Philadelphia,  before  reaching  home.] 
Corp.  James  McGuigan,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Jesse  Wheeler,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Re-entered   U.  S.  service  Sept.  15,  '66,  and  pr.  to 

sergt.  Co.  K,  28th  Infty.,  U.  S.  A.] 
Corp.  William  Shields,  sub.,  Nov.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  B.  Allen,  sub.,  Oct.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;   no  date  of  pr.  to  corp.;  mus. 

out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  George  W.  Dehoff,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  no.  date  of  pr..to  corp.; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  William  Wright,  drafted,  Oct.  13,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Drury's 

Bluff,  Va.,  May  16,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  July  19,  '65;    mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Musician  Philip  Richard,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  no  date  of  ap.;  mus.  out 

Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Andy,  Hezekiah,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  near  Petarsburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    II.  •">  1  •') 

Priv.  Allen,  Robert  W.,  drafted,  Oct.  2,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  deserted,  date  not  given;  re 
turned,  date  not  given;  sentenced  by  court-martial  to  forfeit  1  rao.  pay 
O.  O.  25,  hd.-qrs.  10th  corps,  July  8,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Anderson,  Charles  F.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  8,  '65. 

Priv.  Anderson,  George  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  confluent  small 
pox  at  Satterlee  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  March  7,  '65. 

Privr.  Bennett,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Dept.  X.  W.  Oct.  15,  '64. 

Priv.  Billings,  William,  sub.,  Sept.  3,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bills,  Abraham  L.,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Boyd,  William  H.,  sub.,  March  4.  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bradshaw,  Thomas,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  5.  '64. 

Priv.  Breunan,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs  ;  deserted  Aug.  16,  '64. 

Priv.  Carbaugh,  Daniel,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Cavanaugh,  James,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Priv.  Charlton,  John  G.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65. 

Priv.  Charney,  Charles,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Church,  Marcus  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Collioud,  Samuel, -drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64 ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  May  25,  '65. 

Priv.  Craney,  John,  drafted,  Sept,  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg 
Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps.  [Dis.  March  17,  '65.] 

Priv.  Cress,  Adam,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65. 

Priv.  Critchfield,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Curtis,  John,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Dawson,  Robert  S.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Donahue,  Michael,  sub.,  July  11,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  11,  '65. 

Priv.  Donnelly,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Priv.  Douglass,  Byron,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va .,  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Drumm,  Edward,  sub.,  Feb.  14,  '65,  for  3  yrs.     [Xot  on  mus.-out  roll  ] 

Priv.  Dry,  Mordecai,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Duffy,  Robert,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  8,  '64. 

Priv.  Dunaway,  William  H.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Dunn,  Thomas,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  June  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Entrican,  Charles,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.;  May  20,  '64;  deserted  from  Filbert  St.  Hosp., 
Philadelphia,  Oct.  1,  '64. 

Priv.  Evards,  Philip,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  fever  at  post  hosp., 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  12,  '65. 

Priv.  Fields,  David  F.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  18,  '65. 

Priv.  Finegan,  Owen,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Drury's 
Bluff,  Va ,  May  16,  '64;  dis.  July  6,  '65. 

Priv.  Floray,  Philip,  drafted,  Oct.  1,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Force.  William  H.,  sub.   Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
35 


546  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Gaffany,  Terrence,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Glenn,  John,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Graham,  Alexander,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  heart  disease 

at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  26,  '64. 

Priv.  Haley,  Martin,  sub.,  Oct.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hamm,  Conrad,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus,  out. 
Priv.  Harbours,  Alfred  N.,  sub.,  Aug.  25,  '64,  for  1  yrs.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Harrison,  Charles,  sub.,  Nov.  28,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hart,  Thomas,  sub.,  Aug.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hartman,  Augustus,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near 

Peterburg,  Va.,  July  6,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress 

Monroe,  Va.,  July  29,,  '64. 
Priv.  Hazel,  Andrew,  drafted,  Oct.  1,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 

N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Died  at  his  home,  Centre 

Co.,  of  chron.  diarr.  Sept.,  '65.] 

Priv.  Headley,  Amos  B.,  sub.,  Aug.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Heeley,  Hugh,  sub.,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hennessey,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Horr,  John,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hoxendofel,  Frederick,  sub.,  Nov.  4,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Jones,  Charles,  drafted,  July  29,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Jones,  John,  sub.,  Aug.  11,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Jones,  Owen,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  fcfr  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Jones,  Thomas,  sub.,  Feb.  14,  '65,  for  3  yrs.     [Not  on  mus. -out  roll.] 
Priv.  Kerchner,  George,  drafted,  Oct.  16,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  dysentery  at 

10th  corp.  hosp.,  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  Aug.  5,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem., 

City  Point,  Va.,  sec.  D,  div.  4,  grave  167. 

Priv.  Lamory,  Henry,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lander,  Oscar,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out;  at  Fil 
bert  St.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  since  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Lathrup,  Eugene,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.     [Not  on  mus.-out  roll.] 

[Dis.  Aug.  8,  '65.— Bates'  State  History.] 

Priv.  Malone,  James,  sub.,  July  21,  '64;  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  29,  '65. 
Priv.  Marks,  Thomas,  sub.,  Feb.  14,  '65,  for  3  yrs.     [Not  on  mus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  Marshall,  Samuel,  sub.,  Feb.  14,  '65,  for  3  yrs      [Not  on  mus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  Martin,  Job  H.,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr ;  dis.  May  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McColly,  Patrick,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs  ;  deserted  July  21,  '65. 
Priv.  McDonald,  George,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.,  deserted  April  1,  '65. 
Priv.  McDonald,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64.     [Not  on  mus.-out  roll.] 
Priv.  Montgomery,  David,  drafted,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Moore,  Charles,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  in  confinement  at  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  at  mus.  out;  sentenced  by  court-martial  to  3  mos.  hard  labor  and 

forfeit  3  mos.  pay,  by  G.  0.  16,  July  5,  '65. 

Priv.  Moore,  Jonas,  drafted,  Oct.  1,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Murphy,  William,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Nesbitt,  John,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  July  18,  '65. 
Priv.  Nichols,  Albert  B.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  April  1,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY   H.  547 

Priv.  O'Donald,  Peter,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  O'Hara,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis  June  8.  '65. 

Priv.  Ortb,  William,  drafted,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Pointer,  Thomas,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Potter,  George  P.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Preston,  Joseph,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Price,  Joseph,  sub.,  Sept.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Printz,  Frederick,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Pyle,  Levi  B,  sub.,  March  2,  T>5,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  18,  '05. 

Priv.  Raby,  George,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Kauch,  George,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  23,  '65. 

Priv.  Richards,  William,  sub.,  Oct.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Rider,  Abncr,  drafted,  Oct.  1,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Riley,  Edward,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Segee,  James,  drafted,  Aug.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  14,  '65. 

Priv.  Seymour,  William  P.,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  6,  '64. 

Priv.  Shaffer,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  14,  '65. 

Priv.  Shay,  William  H.,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Shuttmire,  Joseph,  sub.,  Nov.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Simpson,  Milton,  sub.,  Aug.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cold  Har 
bor,  Ya.,  June  4,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  Dec.  14,  '64. 

Priv.  Smith,  John  H.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.  [Not  on  mus. -out  roll.] 
[Dis.  G.  O.,  June  28,  '65.— Bates'  State  History.] 

Priv.  Smith,  Johu  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  23'  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Spencer,  Thomas,  sub..  March  2,  '65,  for  I  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Steacb,  James,  drafted,  Feb.  21,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Tackaberry,  James,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  fur  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
[Died  Sept.  13,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cera.,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  plot  7,  grave  18.] 

Priv.  Tarleton;  Robert,  sub.,  Oct.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Thomas,  Joseph  H.,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Tobin,  Martin  H.,  sub.,  Oct.  13,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  after  mus. -out  roll  was 
prepared  and  previous  to  mus.  out,  date  not  given. 

Priv.  Wragner,  Felix,  drafted,  Sept,  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Feb.  2,  '65. 

COMPANY   I,  BROOKE   GUARDS. 

Capt.  George  W.  Hawkins,  34  yrs.,  carpenter,  Philadelphia;  first  entered  service 
as  priv.  in  Co.  F,  17th  P.  V.,  April  26,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  April  19, 
'62,  to  date  Oct.  29,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Darby  Town  Road, 
Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  leg  amputated;  died  of  wds.  Oct.  28,  '64.  [Com.  issued 
by  Gov.  Curtin  as  lieut.  col.  Oct.  29,  '64,  to  rank  from  Sept.  18,  '64.] 

Capt.  George  W.  Duffee,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  5th  sergt,  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d 
sergt.  Aprtl  16,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Sept.  16,  '62;  pr.  1st  sergt.  Sept.  20 
'62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Feb' 
5,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Feb.  6,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Gilmer,  Va., 
Sept.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  capt.  Dec.  2,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65 ;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 


548  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

1st  Lieut.  Sketchley  Morton,  Jr.,  20  yrs.,  lumber  merchant,  Mortonville,  Dela 
ware  Co.;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Hilton 
Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  12,  '62. 

1st  Lieut.  W.  H.  H.  Gibson,  22  yrs.,  clerk,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  April  16,  '62;  pr. 
to  3d  sergt.  Sept.  16,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '62;  vet.;  re.mus. 
March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Feb.  6,  '64;  wd.  in 
'action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut. 
Dec.,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  Annesley  N.  Morton,  19  yrs.,  lumber  merchant,  Mortonville,  Delaware 
Co.;  mus.  Nov.  16,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  res.  and  hon.  dis.  at  Edisto  Island, 
S.  C.,  April  16,  '62.  [Re-entered  the  service  as  Capt.  Co.  L,  15th 
Pa.  Cav.] 

2d  Lieut.  James  Williams,  38  yrs.,  seaman,  Linwood;  first  entered  service  as 
sergt.  in  Co.  I,  9th  P.  V.,  April  22,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  1st  sergt.  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  April  16,  '62;  res.  on 
acct.  of  ill  health  and  hon.  dis.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  8,  '62. 

2d  Lieut.  John  Kuapp,  25  yrs.,  barber,  Philadelphia  ;  mus.  Nov.  8,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  2d  sergt.;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  April  16,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Sept.  10,  '62; 
res.  and  hon.  dis.  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Feb.  5,  '64. 

2d  Lieut.  George  M.  Middleton,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Lazaretto;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct. 
9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Sept.  16,  '62;  pr.  to  sergt.  date  unknown  ; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Oct.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  2d  lieut.  Dec.  2,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan. 

15,  '65 ;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  John  C.  Morton,  25  yrs.,  seaman,  Chester;  mus.  in  Co.  G  Oct.  11, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Co.  I  as  4th  sergt.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Sept. 

16,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '62;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  1,  '63  ;  mus. 
out  Oct.  21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

1st  Sergt.  William  Ottowell,  28  yrs.,  waterman,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct. 
9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  7th  corp.  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  April  16, 
'62;  pr.  to  sergt.  May  2,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb. 
29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church,  Va.,  Aug.  26,  '64  ;  pr.  to 
1st  sergt.  Dec.  2,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Thomas  A.  Watson,  21  yrs.,  coach  maker,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  3d  sergt.  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  2d  sergt.  April  16,  '62;  dis.  on  surg. 
cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  20,  '62. 

Sergt.  James  E.  Engle,  18  yrs,  clerk,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  April  16,  '62;  pr.  to  4th 
sergt.  Sept.  20,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  sergt.  Feb.  5,  '64;  vet.;  re.mus.  March  16, 
'64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  with  loss  of  arm  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  to  receive  pr.  Aug.  24,  '64,  by  S.  ()., 
War  Dept.  [Pr.  to  2d  lieut,  16th  Regt.  Vet.  Res.  Corps.] 

Sergt.  William  R.  Wood,  22  yrs.,  cordwaioer,  Media;  mus.  Nov.  10,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  1st  corp.;  pr.  to  5th  sergt.  May  2,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  sergt.  Sept.  10,  '62; 
pr.  to  3d  sergt.  Sept.  20,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda 
Hd.,  Va.,  May  2u,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    I.  549 

Sergt.  William  P.  Hayman,  33  yrs.,  lumberman,  Oakdale;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  ap.  2d  corp.  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  to  sergt.  and  to  2d  sergt.  dates  un 
known;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug* 
28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Horatio  A.  Powell,  31  yrs.,  carpenter,  Radnor;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv.  April  2, 
'62,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  April  16,  '62;  pr.  to  sergt.  date  unknown;  dis. 
April  2,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Sergt.  William  H.  Reese,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv. 
Jan.  2,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  18,  '62;  pr.  to  corp.  May  1,  '63; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr  to  sergt,  date  un 
known;  wd.  in  action  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  ab.  sick 
at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Portsmouth  Grove,  R.  I.;  since  May  2,  '65;  dis.  by  G.O., 
Aug.  15,  '65. 

Sergt  Edward  Home,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lazaretto;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '04;  pr.  to  corp.  and  to  sergt. 
dates  unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Jacob  Cline,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Lazaretto;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  Mart-fa  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  and 
to  sergt.  dates  unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  John  L.  Morton,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Darby;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  np. 
corp.  Oct.  19, '61;  died  of  typhus  fever  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  March  28, '62. 

Corp.  Clayton  C.  Elbertson,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  17, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  corp.  Oct.  19,  '61;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Is 
land,  S.  C.,  May  9,  '63. 

Corp.  Robert  Trowland,  40  yrs.,  weaver,  Darby;  mus.  Nov.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  corp.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Nov.  4,  '63. 

Corp.  Thomas  Creigan,  30  yrs.,  laborer,  Oakdale;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  61.  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  6tb  corp.  Oct.  19,  '61;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  Jan.  1,  '62;  pr.  to  4th  corp. 
April  16,  '62;  pr.  to  2d  corp.  Sept.  20,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to 
date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Va.,  May  20, 
'64;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  Oct.  29,  J64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  William  F.  Green,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct. 
9,*  61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  April  16,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64, 
to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 
May  20,  '64;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  on  acct.  of  wds.,  July 
10,  '65. 

Corp.  James  B.  Newell,  18  yrs.;  engineer,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 
date  unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  George  H.  Barton,  18  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,* 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to 
corp.  date  unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  James  Groff,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Kellyville;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '01,  for  3 
yrs;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date 
unknown;  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  mus 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 


550  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  Charles  Stewart  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Ridley ;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.,  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  afr 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64  ;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown; 
mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Jabez  Travis,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  date 
unknown;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Corp.  Francis  Todd,  18  yrs.,  weaver,  Chester;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  pr.  to  corp.  July  24,  '65;  mus.  out  with 
co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  [Re-enlisted  in  U.  S.  Army.] 

Musician  John  Parsons,  Jr.,  30  yrs.,  cutler,  Media;  rec't ;  mus.  as  priv.  Dec.  24, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  fifer  Jan.  11,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date 
Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  principal  musician  March  1,  '64. 

Musician  Harry  Hunter,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  April  1,  '62. 

Musician  William  T.  Thompson,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Linwood;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  ap.  musician  April  10,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date 
Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.  [Died  at  home  of  consump 
tion  Sept.  18,  '65.] 

Musican  Charles  H.  Dickerson,  16  yrs.,  drummer,  West  Chester;  rec't;  mus. 
Jan.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Feb.  22,  '63;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Teamster  Amos  G.  Webb,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  July  6,  '62. 

Teamster  William  J.  Dunlap,  25  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Kelly ville;  mus.  as  priv. 
Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  teamster  July  15,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Cold 
Harbor,  Ya.,  June  6,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Carney,  Henry,  46  yrs.,  millwright,  Oakdale;  rec't;  mus.  Dec.  24,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Jan.  16,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C., 
Sept.  27,  '63. 

Priv.  Dicker,  William  R.,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  died  of  consumption  on  transport,  James  River,  Ya.,  June  18,  '64. 

Priv.  Donovan,  James,  19  yrs.,  laborer,  Glen  Mills;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Ya.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Alexandria, 
Ya.,  on  acct.  of  wds.  June  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Duffey,  Yincent,  17  yrs.,  farmer,  Chatham;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  deserted  while  on  vet. 
furlough;  apprehended  and  tried  by  gen.  court-martial;  sentenced  to  con 
finement  at  hard  labor  for  12  mos.  and  to  forfeit  all  pay  and  bounty  due 
and  $12  per  month  pay  for  that  period;  G.  0.  13,  hd.-qrs.  2d  div.,  10th 
corps,  June  3,  '65. 

Priv.  Edwards,  Thomas,  31  yrs.,  farmer,  Oakdale;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  27,  '62. 

Priv.  Everman,  Evan  H.,  37  yrs.,  lumberman,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  9,* 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in 
trenches  near  Petersburg,  Ya.,  June  24,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Filbert 
St.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Aug.  1,  '64. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    I. 

Priv.  Finley.  Patrick,  25  yrs.,  laborer,  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  Dec.  20,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  joined  co.  Jan.  16,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  Sept.  3,  '64. 
Priv.  Gaul,  David  W.,  42  yrs.,  farmer,  Leiperville;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Gray,  John,  18  yrs.,  jeweler,  Providence,  R.  I.;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Gutterson,  William  S.,  21  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for 

3  yrs  ;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  killed  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Harrigan,  Daniel,  20  yrs.,  factory  operative,  Upland;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action 

at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps 

by  order  of  War  Dept.  May  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Harris,  Nathan  T.,  22  yrs.,  wheelwright,  Schuylkill  Co.;  mus.  Nov.  7,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  12,  '62. 
Priv.  Home,  Caleb,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Oakdale;  rec't;  mus.  Dec.  31,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  David's  Island,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  '64;  bu.  in  Cypress 

Hill  Cem.,  L.  I.,  grave  1,006. 
Priv.  Irwin,  Sanford,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  res.  unknown;  mus.  Oct.  24,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by  Hon.  Judge  Haines,  at  West  Chester,  Oct. 

28,  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 
Priv.  Lafferty,  James,  26  yrs.,  weaver,  Philadelphia;    mus.  Oct.  19,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  April  10,  '64. 
Priv.  Leidtke,  Frederick  W.,  26  yrs.,  oc.  and  res.  unknown;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  3, 

'62,  for  3  yrs.     [Not   on   mus. -out  roll.]     [Discharged    to   receive   pro 
motion   to   2d   lieut.    Co.    G,    llth    P.  V.,  Aug.  28,  '62.— Bates'   State 

History.] 
Priv.  Likens,  Daniel  W.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Linwood;  mus.  Sept  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  again 

wd.  in  action  at  Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  29, 

'64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Lindsay,  Henry  P.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Edgemont;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lynch,  James,  32  yrs.,  farmer,  Springfield;  mus.  Oct.  17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  22,  '63. 
Priv.  Maloney,  James  F.,   18  yrs.,  factory  operative,  Upland;  rec't;  mus.  Dec. 

27,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  joined  co.  Jan.  16,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernan 
dina,  Fla.,  Oct.  12,  '63. 
Priv.  Marshall,  Enos,  37  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs  ; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  27,  '62. 
Priv.  Matthews,  Michael  H.,  19  yrs.,  waterman,  Leiperville;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with 

co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McCabe,  James,  38  yrs.,  weaver,  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  April  3,  '62,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  April  3,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 


552  HISTORY    OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  McDermott,  John,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61, 
for  3  yrs.:  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action 
at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  ab.  at  mus.  out;  sick  in  U.  S.  Hosp., 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.;  since  June  16,  '65. 

Priv.  McNeil,  William,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  21,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Moore,  James  C.,  44  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Oxford  ;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  sick  at  post  hosp., 
Raleigh,  N.  C.;  since  May  19,  '65;  dis.  by  G.  O.  July  19,  '65. 

Priv.  Morris,  William  R.,  28  yrs.,  weaver,  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  March  21,  '62, 
for  3  yrs.  [Not  on  mus. -out  roll.] 

Priv.  Nuttle,  David  T.,  21  yrs.,  boatman,  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  deserted  at  Bermuda  JId., 
Va.,  about  July,  '64,  arrested,  tried  and  sentenced  by  court-martial  to 
confinement  at  hard  labor  for  12  mos.,  and  to  forfeit  $12  per  month  for 
that  time;  G.  0.  13,  hd.-qrs.  2d  div.,  10th  corps,  June  3,  '65;  ab.  in  con 
finement  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Pine,  William,  36  yrs.,  teamster,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  died  at  De-Camp  Hosp.,  David's  Island,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  11,  '64;  bu.  in 
Cypress  Hill  Gem.,  L.  I. 

Priv.  Richardson,  John  J.,  18  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  15,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct. 
29,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Rigby.  Enoch  H.,  30  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  Sept.  16,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Rodgers,  Herbert,  19  yrs.,  waterman,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action 
at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  4,  '65. 

Priv.  Sharp,  Joseph,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.; 
re-mus.  March  16,  't)4,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Shutt,  John,  19  yrs.,  fisherman,  Lazaretto;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3  yrs. 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp., 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  July  14,  '64. 

Priv.  Simpson,  David,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64 ;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65.; 

Priv.  Taylor,  John,  43  yrs.,  fisherman,  Marcus  Hook;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Seabrook  Island,  S.  C.,  June  2Y,  '63. 

Priv.  Thomas,  Evan,  18  yrs.,  blacksmith,  Newtown  Square;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus  by  Hon.  T.  Haines,  at  West 
Chester,  Oct.  24,  '61,  on  acct.  of  minority. 

Priv.  Todd,  Jonathan,  42  yrs,  spinner,  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  24,  '62,  for  3 
yrs.;  joined  co.  April  6,  '62;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps  Oct.  31,  '63,  by  G.  0. 
37,  War  Dept. 

Priv.  Tompkins,  Samuel  J.,  18  yrs.,  fisherman,  Linwood;  mus.  Oct.  9,*  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  r64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY   I.  553 

Priv.  Ward,  John,   18  yrs.,  farmer,  Springfield;  mus.  Sept,  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

died  of  cbron.  diarr.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fort  Scbuyler,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  28,  '63. 
Priv.  Ward.  William  H.,  20  yrs,  blacksmith,  Ridley;  nius.  Oct.  9.*  (Jl,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Walraven,  Richard,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester;  mus.  Sept.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.J 

wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mue.  out 

Oct.  29,  '64.  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wood,  Isaac,  42  yrs.,  farmer,  Media;  mus.  Oct.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  by 

shell  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  29,  '64. 
Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  Owen  L.  Smith,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Adolph  Fry,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown; 

wd.  with  loss  of  arm  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  on 

acct.  of  wds.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  May  20,  '65. 

Priv.  Abner,  John,  drafted,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '65. 
Priv.  Armstrong,  George,  drafted,  Jan.  19,  '65,  for  1  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Armstrong,  Joseph,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Angler,  Francis,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Baker,  William  II.,  drafted,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  phthisis  at 

Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Aug.  2,  '64. 

Priv.  Barnes,  William,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.,  deserted  Aug.  16,  '65. 
Priv.  Barthelle,  Lewis,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yf.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Berry,  Robert,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Betts,  Loomis,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  May  3,  '65. 
Priv.  Brontzman,  Martin,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3   yrs.;   wd.  in   action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64 ;  ab.  at  mus.  out  at  U.  S. 

Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  on  acct.  of  wds.;  since  May  20,  '64. 
Priv.  Brooks,  John  H.,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

[Since  died.] 

Priv.  Brown,  Charles,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Camp,  Sylvester,  drafted,  Feb.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  25,  '65. 
Priv.  Cbapin,  William  X.,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Clark,  Philip,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  June  16,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va., 

Aug.  16,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Newark,  N.  J.,  on  acct.  of 

wds.;  since  Aug.  16,  '64. 
Priv.  Cole,    Elias,  drafted,    Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;    wd.  in  action    at   Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  May  3,  '65,  on  acct,  of  wds. 
Priv.  Cole,  John,  drafted.  Jan.  18,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Conn,  Thomas,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab  sick  at  mus.  cut. 
Priv.  Connelly,  William,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  3,  '64. 
Priv.  Crosby,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Feb.  11,  '64. 
Priv.  Crowley,  Daniel,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  14,  '64. 
Priv.  Davis,  William,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Greeu 

Plains.  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Demery,  Richard,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  May  30,  '65. 


554  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Donnelly,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64. 

Priv.  Donnelly,  William,  sub.,  July  7,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  15,  '65. 
Priv.  Donovan,  John;  rec't;  mus.  April  5,  '64,  for  3  yrs.,  joined  co.  May  2,  '64; 

wd.  in  trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  15,  '64;  tr.  to  Yet.  Res.  Corps 

March  4,  '65;  dis.  May  29,  '65. 

Priv.  Foster,  Philander,  drafted,  Jan.  11,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  debility  at  Ra 
leigh,  N.  C.,  July  5,  '65. 
Priv.  Frace,  George,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  13,  '65. 

Priv.  Gilligan,  Peter,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Girton,  John  A.,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Goodrich,  Peter,  drafted,  Sept.  1,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Dec.  14,  '63; 

capt'd  Dec.   15,  '63;  executed  for  desertion  Feb.  27,  '64,  in  conformity 

with  sentence  of  gen.  court-martial. 

Priv.  Haeley,  Michael,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Haines,  Isaac  D.,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Halderman,  Aaron,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Harris,  Charles  L.,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Oct.,  '64. 
Priv.  Hawk,  Dennis,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 
Priv.  Helm,  Edward;  rec't.;  mus.  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  6,  '65. 
Priv.  Henn,  Philip,  drafted,   Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at   Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64 ;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  June  23,  '65. 
Priv.  Holley,  Benjamin,  sub.,  Oct.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  John,  August,  sub.,  Aug.  24,  '64,  for  1  yr  ;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Johnson,  Peter,  drafted,  July  28,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  21,  '64. 
Priv.  Kelly,  Levi,  drafted,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  21,  '65. 
Priv.  Kneedler,  Christian,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Sept.  16,  '64. 
Priv.  Krisell,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  trenches  near  Pe 
tersburg,  Va.,  July  15,  '64. 

Priv.  Lawrence,  Daniel,  drafted,  Sept.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lewis,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 

Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  deserted  July,  '64. 
Priv.  Luiher,  Thomas,  sub.,  Aug.  31,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  July  7,  '65. 
Priv.  Mahoney,  Dennis,  drafted,  July  30,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Mahoney,  James,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Darby 

Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Marmyer,  William,  drafted,  Sept.  10,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  1,  '64. 
Priv.  McKuwen,  Alexander  G.,  drafted,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at 

mus.  out. 

Priv.  McMulligan,  Charles,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28, '65. 
Priv.  McStraw,  Robert   W.,  drafted,  Nov.   11,  '64,  for  1    yr.;   mus.  out  Aug. 

28,  '65. 

Priv.  Miller,  Peter,  drafted,  Oct.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Morris,  William,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '65. 
Priv.  Myers,  Joseph  E.,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Naughton,  John,  sub  ,  Sept.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  15,  '65. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    I.  OOO 

Priv   Patton,  Howard  L.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  June  2,  '(',4. 
Priv.  Powell.  David,  drafted,  July  23,  '64,  for    1    yr.;    wd.  in  action   at   Fort 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  June  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Pride,  Adam  S.,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '04,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rhein,  Michael,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  1st  Regt.,  U.  S.  A., 

Aug.  6,  '64. 

Priv.  Ripple,  John,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Rodgers,  Thomas,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 
Priv.  Sage,  Henry,  drafted,  Sept.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Schiott,  Henry,  drafted,  July  13,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  July  30,  '65. 
Priv.  Schnitzel,  John,  drafted,  July  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Shaffer,  Elijah,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Sipe,  Jacob,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Slutter,  Levi  T.,  drafted,  Sept.  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,-  '65. 
Priv.  Solverson,  Swen,  drafted,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30.  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  field  hosp.  Aug.  3,  '04. 
Priv.  Spencer,  John  J.,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Stiles,  Alfred,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Stock,  Franklin,  sub.,  Nov.  26,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Swartz,  Philip,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  killed  in  action  at  Fort 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65. 

Priv.  Thomas,  James,  drafted,  Sept.  27,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Vath,  George,  drafted,  July  30,  '03,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Yreiland,  Franklin,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps 

Oct.  25,  '64. 
Priv.  Wagoner,  Jacob,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  heart  disease  at 

Portsmouth  Grove  Hosp.,  L.  I.,  July  20,  '65. 
Priv.  Waterman,  Willard,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  chron.  diarr. 

at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  21,  '65;  bu.  in  Nat.  Cem.,  sec.  20,  grave  2. 
Priv.  Watts,  Israel,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  I  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Waugaman,  Robert,  drafted,  Sept.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Welser,  George  A.,  drafted,  Nov.  16,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  Aug.  7,  '65. 
Priv.  Williams,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  1,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Williams,  John  (1st),  drafted,  Oct.  22, '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Williams,  John  (2d),  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  Oct.  19,  '64. 
Priv.  Wilson,  Spencer  W.,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  18,  '65. 
Priv.  Young,  William  W.,  sub.,  March  1,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '05. 

COMPANY  K,  WAYNE  GUARDS. 

Capt.  William  Wayne,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Paoli;  mus.  April  19,  '62,  to  date  Oct. 
29,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  account  of  disability  by  order  of  Sec.  of  War, 
Jan.  19,  '63. 

Capt.  Samuel  V.  Black,  24  yrs.,  merchant,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept. 
28,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  Nov.  2,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  May  3, 
'63;  pr.  to  capt.  May  1,  '04;  wd.  in  action  at  Foster's  Place,  Bermuda 
Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug. 
16,  '64;  pris'r  until  April,  '65,  when  par.;  ex.  and  rejoined  co.  April  10, 
'65;  hon.  dis.  at  Raleigh  N.  C.,  May  4,  '65,  to  date  Jan.  29,  '65. 


556  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Capt.  William  S.  Underwood,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Jennerville;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  4th  sergt.;  pr.  to  3d  sergt.  May  28,  '62;  vet.;  re-mus.  March 
16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr  to  1st  sergt.  May  3.  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg  Mine, 
Va.,  July  30,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  Dec.  2,  '64;  mus.  Jan.  1,  '65;  pr.  to 
capt.  Feb.  28,  '65;  mus.  May  6,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C., 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Lieut.  John  J.  Barber,  30  yrs.,  clerk,  West  Chester,  mus.  April  19,  '62,  to 
date  Nov.  5,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert  at  Hilton  Head.,  S.  C., 
March  9,  '63.  [Re-entered  service  as  priv.  in  Co.  A,  5th  U.  S.  Arty.;  dis. 
at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Oct.  29,  '69.] 

1st  Lieut.  Levi  L.  March,  29  yrs.,  painter,  Paoli;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
ap.  1st  sergt.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr. 
to  2d  lieut.  May  1,  '63;  not  mus.  until  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut.  May  1,  '64; 
mortally  wd.  in  action  with  loss  of  leg  and  arm  at  Petersburg  Mine,  Va., 
July  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Chesapeake  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va., 
Aug.  14,  '64. 

1st  Lieut.  William  M.  Sullivan,  27  yrs.,  farmer,  Warren  Tavern;  mus.  as  priv. 
Dec.  IT,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  27,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16, 
'64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  Sept.  27,  64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  Dec. 

2,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  lieut  Feb.  28,  '65,  mus.  May  7,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co 
at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  Marriott  Brosius,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Octoraraville,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus. 
as  priv.  Nov.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  1st  corp.  June  29,  '62;  pr.  to  sergt- 
May  6,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in 
action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  com.  2d  lieut. 
Feb.  28,  '65;  not  mus.  having  been  dis.  for  wds.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S. 
Hosp.,  Chester,  Pa.,  Jan.  2,  '65. 

2d  Lieut.  John  W.  Thompson,  27  yrs.,  carpenter,  Hopewell  Cotton  Mills;  mus. 
as  priv.  Dec.  17,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  20,  '63;  vet.;  re-mus. 
March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  June  28.  '64;  capt'd  in 
action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64;  ex.  and  rejoined  co.  Dec. 
24,  '64;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  April  1,  '65;  pr.  to  2d  lieut.  May  26,  '65;  mus. 
out  with  co.  at  Weldon,  N.  C.,  Aug.  28,  '65. 

1st  Sergt.  James  M.  Griffith,  21  yrs.,  engineer,  Gulf  Mills;  mus.  Nov.  5,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  ap.  2d  sergt.  Nov.  29,  '61;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  May  1,  '63;  vet.;  re- 
mus.  March  16,  '<>4,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Fortress 
Monroe,  Va.,  June  3,  '64. 

1st  Sergt.  J.  II.  Montgomery,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Oakdale;  rec't;  mus.  as  priv.  Feb. 
24,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  date  unknown;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64, 
to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.» 
May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  April  1,  '65;  pr.  to  1st  sergt.  July  18,  '65' 
mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Sergt.  Reuben   Powell    Fithian,    26    yrs.,    printer,    West    Chester;    mus.    Dec 

3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  sergt.;  wd.  in  picket  skirmish  James  Island,  S.  C., 
June  12,  '62;  dis.  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  at  Varina,  Va., 
Dec.  2,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    K.  557 

Sergt.  David  P.  Thomas,  38  yrs.,  farmer,  Schuylkill  T\vp.;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '01,  for 

3  yrs.;  ap.  sergt.  Oct.  29,  '61 ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C., 

Oct.  14,  '62. 
Sergt.  Lewis  I).  Hayes,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Coatesville;  nous,  as  priv.  Nov.  7,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus  March  Ifi,  '(54,  to  date  Jan.   1,  '64;  pr.  to  corp. 

Oct.  10,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  April  3,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Sergt.  Patrick  McLaughlin  (1st),  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Hayesville;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 

4,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-raus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  pr.  to 

corp.  April  2,  '65;  pr.  to  sergt.  July  18,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28, 

'65.     [Re-entered  service  as  priv.  in  2d  U.  S.  Cav.] 
Sergt.  Charles  A.  Meyers,  18  yrs.,  laborer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  as  priv.  Dec    19, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '04;  pr.  to  corp. 

Oct.  10,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  April  3,  '65;  reduced  July  13,  '65;  re-ap.  sergt. 

Aug.   17,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.     [Re-entered  service  in 

6th  U.  S.  Cav.] 
Sergt.  John  W.  Farra,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Elkvievv;  mus.  as  priv.   Dec.  9,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March   16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Foster's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  April  1,  '65; 

pr.  to  sergt.  June  1,  '65;  reduced  July  13,  '05;  re-ap.  sergt.  Aug.  17,  '05; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Alfred  J.  Hartman,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Kimberton;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  30, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '62;  -vet.;  re-mus.  March   10,  '64,  to 

date  Feb.  29,  '64;   wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 

May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hampton  Hosp.,  Va.,  July  3,  '04. 
Corp.  William  Taylor,  23  yrs.,  printer,  Hickory  Hill;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  28,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '62;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  David  S.  Christman,  22  yrs.,  carpenter,  Warren  Tavern;  mus.  as  priv. 

Oct.  3,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '62;  died  of  pneumonia  at 

Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Oct.  7,  '63. 
Corp.  Channing  Brinton,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Gap,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct. 

15,  '01,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '02;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  10,  '04,  to 

date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va., 

May  20,  '64. 
Corp.  James  W.  Phillips,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Valley;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 

4,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '62;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty., 

Nov.  14,  '62. 
Corp.  Barnett  R.  Rapp,  37  yrs.,  coach  maker,  Warren  Tavern;  mus.  as  priv. 

Oct.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  June  29,  '62;  wd.  in  action  at  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at 

exp.  of  term. 
Corp.  William  E.  Davis,  37  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  as  priv.  Sept.  28, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ap.  corp.  June  29,  '62;  vet.;  re-inus.  March  10,  '64,  to  date 

Feb.  29,  '64;  reduced  to  ranks  Sept.  27,  '64;  re-ap.  corp.  April  3,  '65; 

mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Isaac  Miller,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Gum  Tree;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10, 

'64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab. 

at  mus.  out;  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  on  acct.  of  wds. 


558  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Corp.  E.  Lane  Schofield,  28  yrs.,  carpenter,  Warren  Tavern;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct. 

11,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  corp.  Oct.  10,  '64;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp. 

of  term. 
Corp.  Henry  R.  Coates,  27  yrs.,  teacher,  Mullica  Hill,  N.  J.;  mus.  as  priv.  Nov. 

9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to 

corp.  Nov.  28,  '64;  pr.  to  sergt.  maj.  Jan.  1,  '65. 
Corp.  Charles  Miles,  23  yrs.,  carpenter,  Glen  Mills;  mus.  as  priv.  Dec.  9,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  pr.  to  corp.  April 

4,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  George  H.  Harrison,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  as  priv.  Oct.  9, 

'61,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  ap.  corp. 

April  5,  '65;  reduced  July  13,  '65;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65.    . 
Musician  Casper  C.  Fahnestock,  Jr.;  25  yrs.,  musician,  Paoli;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  ap.  fife  maj.  Nov.  16,  '61. 
Musician  John  H.  Kauffman,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Paoli;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug, 

28,  '65. 
Musician  George  W.  Smith,  17  yrs.;  factor,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Nov.  7,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 

Aug.  28,  '65. 
Teamster  Peter  J.  Wonderly,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Unionville;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for 

3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  4,  '63. 
Priv.  Barber,  George,  19  yrs.,  oc.  unknown,  Pbcenixville ;  rec't ;  mus.  Feb.  28, 

'64,  for  1  yr.;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.;  May 

20,  '64. 
Priv.  Beerbrower,  Theodore,  22  yrs.,  carpenter,  Chester  Springs;   rec't;  mus. 

Jan.  21,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Jan.  7,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Beidler,  Henry  A.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Valley;  mus.  Oct.  19,  '61.  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in   action  at 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out;  at  Conva 
lescent  Hosp.;  since  July  28,  '64.     [Supposed  to  have  died.] 
Priv.  Bevan,  Thomas  R.  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Schuylkill  Twp.;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  8,  '62. 
Priv.  Brown,  Charles  W.,  19  yrs,,  tobacconist,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 
Priv.  Bullock,  Isaac,  42  yrs.,  farmer,  Media  ;  mus.  Dec.  23,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  dis. 

on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  11,  '62. 
Priv.  Cook,  Jonathan,  41  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 

dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Satterlee  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  June  27,  '62. 
Priv.  Criswell,  Thomas  B.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Hayesville;  mus.  Oct.  13,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  consumption  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Aug.  18,  '63. 
Priv.  Duey,  Morris  E.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 

Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  ab.  at  mus.  out  on  acct.  of  wds. 
Priv.  Famous,  John  S.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Feb.  20,  '63. 
Priv.  Feely,  James,  24  yrs.,  boatman,  Bridgeton;  rec't;  inus.  Jan.  6,  '62,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Jan.  6,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;   COMPANY    K.  559 

Priv.  Fennings,  Lawrence,  27  yrs.,  merchant,  England;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  22, 
'(52,  for  3  yrs.;  placed  in  U.  S.  Insane  Hosp.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  by  order 
of  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter,  and  dropped  from  rolls  Aug.  15,  '62. 

Priv.  Foley,  .lames  W.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Kirk's  Mills;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  1,  '62,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  Dec.  9,  '63. 

Priv.  Francis,  Harinan,  21  yrs.,  wheelwright,  East  Vincent;  mus.  Oct.  22,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  28,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plnius, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co  Aug  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Frock,  Lucien,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Warren  Tavern;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '04; 
mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Griffith.  William,  34  yrs.,  quarryman,  Centreville;  mus.  Oct.  28,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb  29,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co. 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Gunkle,  Charles  L.,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Chester  Valley;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  13, 
'62,  for  3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps  July  15,  '63. 

Priv.  Gutbrie,  John  C.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Jennerville;  mus.  Dec.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  killed  in  action  at  Fos 
ter's  Place,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  18,  '64. 

Priv.  Hannum,  James,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Oxford;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  De-Camp  Hosp., 
New  York,  Sept.  20,  '64;  bu.  in  Cypress  Hill  Cem.,  L.  I.,  grave  1,916. 

Priv.  Harbour,  Thomas,  32  yrs.,  waiter,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Nov.  15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cfrt.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  28,  '63. 

Priv.  Harkins,  Thomas,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Cains,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Nov.  4,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May 
20,  '64. 

Priv.  Harner,  Michael,  40  yrs.,  wood  chopper,  Schuylkill  Twp.;  mus.  Oct.  19, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term 

Priv.  Harper,  Isaac,  46  yrs.,  plasterer,  Hickory  Hill;  mus.  Nov.  4,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  mus.  out  Nov.  3,  '64, 
at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Harrison,  Isaac,  23  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mua.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  30,  '62. 

Priv.  Harry,  Amos  Y.,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Harrisburg;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  1,  '62,  for 
3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  Regt.  U.  S.  Arty.,  Nov.  16,  '62.  [Killed  in 
action  at  Olustee,  Fla.,  Feb.  20,  '64.] 

Priv.  Hoskins,  Jaroes,  36  yrs.,  farmer,  Red  Lion;  mus.  Nov.  7,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Jan.  9,  '62. 

Priv.  Jermyn,  Burrows,  21  yrs.,  farmer,  Spread  Eagle;  mus.  Sept.  28,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 

Priv.  Keeley,  Sebastian,  43  yrs.,  fence  maker,  West  Vincent;  rec't.;  mus.  Feb. 
6,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  mus. 
out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Lemp,  Jacob  G.,  33  yrs.,  tanner  and  currier,  Switzerland;  rec't;  mus.  Feb. 
14,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  de 
serted  while  on  vet.  furlough  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  May  9,  '64. 


560  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Lewis,  William  C.,  32  yrs.,  painter,  Chester  Valley  ;  mus.  Sept.  30,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  dis.  on 
surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  11,  '62. 

Priv.  Lukens,  Charles  A.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Sadsbury;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.f  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  tr.  to  2d  bat.  Vet.  Res. 
Corps  Jan.  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Manamee,  James,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Reeseville;  mus.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery 
Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  again  wd.,  with  loss  of  arm,  in 
trenches  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  18,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at 
U.  S.  Hosp.,  Central  Park,  New  York,  June  15,  '65,  by  order  of  Maj. 
Gen.  Dix. 

Priv.  McCann,  John,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  Marshalton;  mus.  Oct.  28,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
tr.  to  Co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  14,  '62,  G.  0. 
154,  War  Dept. 

Priv.  McCarter,  William  J.,  33  yrs.,  carpenter,  Russellville;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  7, 
'62,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  28,  '62. 

Priv.  McHeury,  Samuel,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Ireland;  rec't;  mus.  Feb.  19,  '62,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  wd.  in  trenches 
near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  '64;  dis.  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  Haddington 
Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  May  6,  '65. 

Priv.  Mclntyre,  Taylor  W.,  28  yrs.,  laborer,  Coatesville;  mus.  Oct.  28,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Dec.  8,  '61. 

Priv.  Miller,  Lewis,  22  yrs.,  farmer,  Jennerville;  n*us.  Oct.  2,  '61,  for  3  yrs.; 
wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Sept.  11,  '62.  [Died  at  home  Oct.  20,  '62.] 

Priv.  Miles,  William,  44  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  Oct.  27,  '62, 
for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  McDougal  Hosp.,  New  York  Harbor, 
Dec.  14,  '63. 

Priv.  Moore,  William  P.,  19  yrs.,  farmer,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Oct.  15,  '61,  for  3 
yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jau.  1,  '64;  wd.  with  loss  of 
arm  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va,,  May  20,  '64;  died  of 
wds.  at  Hammond  Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  June  16,  '64. 

Priv.  Noble,  Samuel  T.,  16  yrs.,  halter,  Philadelphia;  rec't;  mus.  Dec.  19,  '61, 
for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1.  '64 ;  wd.  in  trenches 
near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  26,  '64;  mus.  out  with  co.  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Norton,  Joseph  Y.,  33  yrs.,  farmer,  Paoli;  rec't;  mus.  Oct.  5,  '62,  for  3 
yrs.;  killed  in  action  at  Wier  Bottom  Church,  Aug.  25,  '64. 

Priv.  Phipps,  Aaron  J.,  34  yrs.,  farmer,  West  Chester;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  18,  '62, 
for  3  yrs.;  died  of  chron.  diarr.,  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  Sept.  26,  '63. 

Priv.  Plumley,  George  W.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Gap,  Lancaster  Co.;  mus.  Oct.  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  deserted 
at  Haddington  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  April  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Raby,  Charles  E.,  18  yrs.,  rope  maker,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Dec.  19,  '61,  for 
3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Jan.  1,  '64;  wd.  with  loss  of 
arm  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on 
surg.  cert,  on  acct.  of  wds.  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  Aug.  20,  '64. 


ROSTER   AND    RECORD   OF    SERVICE;    COMPANY    K  561 

Priv.  Rapp,  Silns  S.,  20  yrs.,  farmer,  Scbuylkill  Tw]).;  mus.  Oct.   15,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  May  10,  T>2. 
Priv.  Shimp,  Francis,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Philadelphia;  mus.  Oct.  9,  '61,  for  3  yrs; 

deserted  at  Camp  Wayne  Nov.  5,  '<>!. 
Priv.  Smith,  William  H.,  28  yrs.,  farmer,  Willistown;  rec't;  mus.  March  29,  '02, 

for  3  yrs.;  ret.;  re-mus.  March  29,  '(54;  dis.  by  order  of  Sec.  of  War,  at 

Richmond,  Va.,  June  9,  '(Jo,  S.  O.  291,  dated  War  Dept.  June  9,  'lift. 
Priv.  Thomas,  Henry  B.,  34  yrs., farmer,  Schuylkill  Twp.;  mus.  Oct.  22,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.,  wd.  in  action  at  James  Island,  S.  C.,  June  10,  '62;  dis.  on  surg.  cert. 

at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  12,  '63. 
Priv.  Unny,  Daniel,  24  yrs.,  farmer,  New  Centreville;  mus.  Nov.  14,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  (3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  Id,  '62. 

[Re-enlisted  as  veteran  and  pr.  to  1st  sergt.] 
Priv.  Wallace,  Johnson,  43  yrs.,  farmer,  Oak  Hill,  Lancaster  Co.;  rec't;  mus. 

Feb.  7,  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64  ; 

wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64;  died 

of  chron.  diarr.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Sept.  26,  '64. 
Priv.  Walker,  Levi  B.,  43  yrs,,  farmer,  Fremont,  Cecil  Co.,  Md.;  rec't;  mus.  Feb- 

In.  '62,  for  3  yrs.;  vet.;  re-mus.  March  16,  '64,  to  date  Feb.  29,  '64;  died 

of  pleurisy  at  Oxford,  April  18,  '64,  while  at  home  on  vet  furlough. 
Priv.  White,  George,  30  yrs.,  carpenter,  West  Chester;  mus.  Oct.  23,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  at  U.  S.  Hosp.,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  27,  '63. 

[Died  of  chron.  diarr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  March  31,  '63] 
Priv.  Williams,  Abner  D.,  19  yrs.;  farmer,  Londonderry;  rec't;  mus.  Nov.  18, 

'63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  16,  '64; 

died  a  pris'r  at  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  date  unknown.     [Reported  Nov.  2,  '64.] 
Priv.  Williams,  Thomas  P.,  18  yrs.,  farmer,  Doe  Run;  rec't;  mus.  April  7,  '62, 

for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64; 

mus.  out  April  7,  '65,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wilson,  James  K.,   19  yrs.,  farmer,  Upper  Uwchland;  mue.  Oct.  22,  '61, 

for  3  yrs.;  dis  on  surg.  cert,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  July  24,  '63. 
Priv.  Wilson,  Joseph  C.,  37  yrs.,  mason,  Parkesburg;  mus.  Oct.  21,  '61,  for  3 

yrs.;  mus.  out  Oct.  28,  '64,  at  exp.  of  term. 
Priv.  Wilson,  William,  19  yrs.,  clerk,  Philadelphia;  rec't;  mus.  April  11,  '62,  for 

3  yrs.;  tr.  to  Bat.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Nov.  16,  '62. 

Since  joined — Drafted  and  Substitutes. 
Corp.  Casper  Rodenbaugh,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  3d  corp.  June  1, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Nicholas,  Montey,  sub.,  Feb.  19,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  5th  corp.  July  18, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Samuel  Rice,  sub.,  Nov    25,  '64,  for  1   yr.;  pr.  to  6th  corp.  July  18,  '65; 

mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  Richard  Bennett,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  pr.  to  7tb  corp.  July  18, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Corp.  John  R.  Arthur,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  pr.  to  8th  corp.  July  18, 

'65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Adams,  John,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  May  25,  '65. 
Priv.  Aldrich,  Eugene,  drafted,  Nov.  11,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65 
36 


562  HISTORY   OF    THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Allen,  Washington,  drafted  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  3Trs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Pe 
tersburg  Mine,  Va.  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Allen,  William,  drafted,  Oct.  1,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  trenches  near  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  June  25,  '64;  ab.  at  mus.  out;  in  U.  S.  Hosp.  on  acct.  of  wds. 

Priv.  Ames,  John,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Arms,  William,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Barnes,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64. 

Priv.  Barry,  James,  sub.,  Sept,  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64. 

Priv.  Beigle,  Lorin,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  wd.  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.,  Jan.  15,  '65;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Bennett,  John,  drafted,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Billenger,  James,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Brogan,  Thomas,  sub.,    Feb.  24,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  rnus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Brown,  Charles  F.,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Priv.  Camp,  Lester,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Clark,  Edward,  drafted,  July  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va,,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  June  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Clark,  Hemter,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  pr.  to  corp  April  7,  '65;  reduced 
June  26,  '65;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Clark,  Henry  II.,  drafted,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  for  wds.  April 
8,  '65. 

Priv.  Clark,  James,  drafted,  Sept,  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Petersburg 
Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Commell,  Edward  A.,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at 
Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  at  U.  S.  Hosp.  at 
mus.  out. 

Priv.  Cook,  John,  drafted,  Oct.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains, 
Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  July  10,  '65. 

Priv.  Davis,  James  E.;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Dempsey,  John,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Detwiler,  Martin,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Dixon,  Edward,  sub.,  July  24,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  again  wd.  in  action  at  Peters 
burg  Mine,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  field  hosp.  July  31,  '64. 

Priv.  Drum,  Peter,  sub.,  Nov.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Duyre,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Sept.  1,  '64. 

Priv.  Ebling,  Jacob  S.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for.  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Ebling,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cemetery 
Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va,,  June  30,  '64;  dis.  for  wds.  June  27,  '65. 

Priv.  Esterlee,  William,  drafted,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  capt'd  in  action  at 
Darby  Town  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  '64;  par.  Feb.  22,  '65;  ab.  at  Camp 
Parole,  Annapolis,  Md.,  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Everett,  Robert  S  ,  drafted,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv,  Faber,  David,  drafted,  July  20,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  for  wds.  June 
15,  '65. 


ROSTER   AND   RECORD   OF   SERVICE;    COMPANY    K.  563 

Priv.  Fashner,  Bernard,  drafted,  Oct.  19,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  nius.  out. 
Priv.  Felmelle,  James,  sub.,  July  1,  '04,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  Juno  2,  '(55. 
Priv.  Forst,  Peter,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '(53,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  siek  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Fox,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '(53,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green   Plains, 

Bermuda  Hd.,   Va.,  May  20,   '(54;   died  of   wds.  at    U.  S.   tlosp.,   Point 

Lookout,  Md.,  May  23,  '(54. 

Priv.  Gately,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  24,  '(53,  for  3  yrs.;  mils,  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Gensler,  John,  drafted,  Sept.  30,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  'Go. 
Priv.  Gentry,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  26,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  15,  '(53. 
Priv.  Githens,  Andrew,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Gray,  Philip,  sub.  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  llahn,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64, 
Priv.  Hamilton.  John  U.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Handtou,  Henry  E.,  sub.,   Feb.  25,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  June 

30,  '65. 

Priv.  Hart,  George,  sub.,  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hay  worth,  John  F.,  sub,  March  1,  65,  for  I  yr.;  raus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Hilfiger,  Oliver,  sub.,  Nov.  21,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  18,  '65. 
Priv.  Hurley,  John  F.,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  3  yrs.:  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Johnson,  George,  drafted,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 
Priv.  Kelly,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  15,  '(53. 
Priv.  Kramer,  Lewis,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lafort,  John,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lathrop,  Eugene,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  Aug.  25,  '65. 
Priv.  Lauck,  Samuel,  sub,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Law,  Samuel  J.,  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  10,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Lewallen,  Thomas,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Cold 

Harbor,  Va.,  June  4,  '64  ;  tr.  to  14th  llegt.  Vet.  Res.  Corps  Sept.  -22,  '64. 
Priv.  Lyons,  Joseph,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  May  28,  '65. 
Priv.  Malone,  Edward,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  1,  '65. 
Priv.  Martin,  Charles,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '63. 
Priv.  Mayer,  Alexander,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 
Priv.  McElvoy,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green  Plains 

Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  died  of  wds.  at  Hammond  Hosp.,  Point 

Lookout,  Md  ,  June  7,  '64. 

Priv.  McIIelany,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  30,  '64  ;  dis.  on  surg.  cert,  for  wds. 

June  15,  '65. 
Priv.  McKenny,  Alexander,  drafted.  June  2,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in    action    nt 

Green  Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va..  May  20,  '64  ;  died  of  wds.  at  Hammond 

Hosp.,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  May  24,  '64. 

Priv.  McLaughlin,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64. 
Priv.  McLaughlin,    Patrick  (2d),  sub.,    March    4,  '65,    for   1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug. 

28,  '65. 

Priv.  McVitty,  Stephen,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '<;5. 
Priv.  Meyers,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64. 
Priv.  Miller,  Henry  H.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.,  d<-sc rted  June  12,  '65. 
Priv.  Nichols,  Kelsey,  drafted,  Sept.  28,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 


564  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Priv.  Northrop,  James  B.,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  O'Brine,  Michael,  sub.,  March  3,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  O'Donall,  Patrick,  sub.,  March  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  May  6,  '65. 

Priv.  Oliver,  James  W.,  sub.,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  died  of  dysentery  at  Fer- 
nandina,  Fla.,  Nov.  25,  '63. 

Priv.  Palmer,  Reuben  N..  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  deserted  June  12,  '65. 

Priv.  Pepper,  Reginal  M.,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  diptheria  on 
steamer  Ocean  Wave,  James  River,  Va.,  Dec.  30,  '64;  bu.  in  Nat.  Gem. 
Fort  Harrison,  Va.,  sec.  B,  grave  112. 

Priv.  Pierson,  Samuel,  sub.,  Sept.  25,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  on  surg.  cert.  Aug. 
15,  '64. 

Priv.  Redmond,  John,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Priv.  Reed,  Charles  F.,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  ?65. 

Priv.  Reed,  Romane  A.,  drafted,  Oct.  21,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  wd.  in  action  at  Green 
Plains,  Bermuda  Hd.,  Va.,  May  20,  '64;  ab.  an  acct.  of  wds.  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Savvolts,  William,  sub.,  Sept.  22,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Jan.  3,  '64. 

Priv.  Scheerle,  Charles  F.,  sub.,  Nov.  22,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Schroder,  George,  sub.,  Nov.  25,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  8,  '65. 

Priv.  Sellers,  John;  rec't;  mus.  April  15,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Shipley,  William  F.,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Priv.  Sigfried,  Bennett,  sub.,  Aug.  29,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  George,  sub.,  Feb.  27,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  dis.  June  7,  '65. 

Priv.  Smith,  William  A.;  rec't;  mus.  July  15,  '64,  for  3  yrs.  [Not  on  mus.- 
out  roll.] 

Priv.  Smoke,  John,  drafted,  Nov.  5,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 

Priv.  Solomon,  Silas  W.,  drafted,  Sept.  23,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  June  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Steadman,  Joseph,  sub.,  July  1,  '64,  for  3  yrs;  dis.  May  20,  '65.  [Known 
at  West  Chester  as  "Brandy wine  Joe."] 

Priv.  Strouse,  Aaron  W.,  sub.,  Nov.  18,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Teaton,  John,  sub  ,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Thompson,  James,  sub.,  Sept.  23,  '63,  for  3  yrs.;  deserted  Dec.  14,  '63;  ap 
prehended  Dec.  15,  '63;  tried,  sentenced  and  executed  for  desertion  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  Feb.  7,  '64,  in  conformity  with  sentence  of  court-martial. 

Priv.  Thompson,  James  V.,  sub.,  Jan.  15,  '65,  for  1  yr.     [Not  on  mus. -out  roll.] 

Priv.  Thompson,  Hezekiah  W.;  rec't;  mus.  Jan.  17,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out 
Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Vangorder,  Sylvanus,  sub.,  Oct.  20,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  died  of  typhoid  pneu 
monia  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  May  11,  '65. 

Priv.  Watson,  William  M.,  drafted,  Feb.  22,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Weaver,  Peter,  sub.,  Nov.  26,  '64,  for  3  yrs.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Weironch,  John,  sub.,  March  1,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  dis.  July  12,  '65. 

Priv.  Wier,  Michael,  sub.,  Feb.  23,  '65,  fot  1  yr.;  mus.  out  Aug.  28,  '65. 

Priv.  Williams,  Peter,  sub.,  March  2,  '65,  for  3  yrs.;  ab.  sick  at  mus.  out. 


RECAPITULATION    FROM    ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 


565 


CHAPTER  XV. 

RECAPITULATION  FROM  ROSTER  AND  RECORD;  TABULAR  STATEMENT 
OF  MORTALITY  AND  CASUALTIES  DURING  THE  PERIOD  OF  SERVICE;* 
IN  MEMORIAM,  FALLEN  PATRIOTS'  REQUIEM. 

RECAPITULATION. 


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11 

1 

3  3 

3 

Ill  dis.  to  accept  pr. 

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17 

3 

4 

1 

4 

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28 

1 

_   _  • 

23! 

23J8,  s.  cert.,  20,  G.  O. 

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65| 

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12     05 

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15 

2        1 

5 

7 

• 

8 

Company  A, 

114 

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8 

31   5 

7     55   2 

1710 

11 

114 

1  pr.  to  field. 

B, 

102 

; 

8 

37  5 

12     21   3 

28^  1 

26 

L02 

2  dishonorably  dis. 

c, 

104 

8 

5 

-    871 

15     48  2 

1310 

1 

7 

1H4  1  pr.;  Idieduft.  di< 

D, 

109 

5 

'.»       57    I 

10!    23   1 

Hi    4         1 

87 

109  2  died  after  dis. 

'         E, 

108 

; 

4;     1410 

21     27  3 

21 

11 

1 

15 

1081  killed  in  camp. 

F, 

10314 

5 

38   4 

10     26  2 

20 

7       8 

1 

15 

103 

G, 

105 

3 

5 

33    1      17     2:5   :i 

18   7       211 

24 

H>M  dis.  Oct.  1,  •<>.-.. 

H, 

112 

*   ::      22    1        6     12   :J 

2927       3!  2 

18 

112  1  drowned. 

I, 

78    8 

8 

29 

111     10  3 

16  3       2   2   -' 

23 

78 

K, 

BO 

5 

6      29    :!         H      i:; 

26  9       :! 

10 

89 

1  killed  after  trans. 

Total  vols., 

1039  52  o4 

33821 

117  25S27 

211 

78|     80  7  4  195  1039  Ag.  accounted  for. 

Dr.and  subs. 

1 

Company  A, 

106 

1 

4 

7 

54 

1       7        1     35 

106 

B, 

it:, 

1 

1 

11 

1 

6 

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95 

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1 

2 

14 

1 

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81    1       0] 

113 

D, 

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14 

1 

19   2       81 

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74 

E, 

117 

6 

5 

6 

22    4      21 

(il 

117 

F, 

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1 

13 

O              *» 

21 

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08 

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4 

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04 

H, 

109   3 

1 

13 

1        6 

27  1     15 

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100 

I, 

;    89  3 

1 

13 

5 

22   3     17 

88 

80 

K, 

105! 

4 

10 

1       8 

21   1     20 

2     54 

105 

Total  subs., 

9951714 

112 

15      49 

25820    121 

11    506 

995  Ag.  accounted  for. 

*Re-eulisted  veterans  marked  with  star  ('). 


566 


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586 


HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 


FALLEN  PATRIOTS'  REQUIEM. 


COMPOSED  AND  ARRANGED  BY 
Adagio. 


MRS.  NETTIE  LEVENGOOD. 


;— e 


RETURN  OF  THE  BATTLE  FLAGS.  587 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

RETURN  OF  THE  BATTLE  FLAGS,  JULY  4,  I860. 

N  July  4,  1866,  in  response  to  the  request  of  Gov. 
A.  G.  Curtin,  the  battle  flags  of  the  Pennsylvania 
regiments  were  returned  to  the  custody  of  the  State 
authorities  for  preservation.  The  occasion  was  one 
of  enthusiastic  interest  in  which  the  citizens  of 
SI*  Philadelphia  and  the  State  united  to  give  a  grand 
ovation  to  the  veterans,  who  were  gathered  from 
all  parts  of  the  old  commonwealth  to  bear  their 
tattered  war-worn  banners  through  the  streets  to 
the  hallowed  shades  of  Independence  Hall,  where  they  were  to 
be  consigned  to  the  hands  of  the  War  Governor  who  had  entrusted 
them  to  their  custody  at  the  beginning  of  the  war.  It  was  an 
event  long  to  be  remembered.  The  war-worn  veterans  marched 
with  the  old  steady  step  as  when  they  bore  their  colors  to  the  front, 
and  held  them  aloft  amid  the  iron  hail  that  tore  their  banners 
into  the  shreds  that  now  floated  in  the  air  from  their  shattered  staffs 
as  they  passed  along  the  streets,  crowded  with  hosts  of  loyal  and 
patriotic  hearts,  that  were  gathered  to  give  their  appreciation  of 
all  the  sacrifices  and  toil  that  had  been  the  cost  of  the  war,  in 
which  these  proud  banners  had  been  borne  aloft  to  victory  and  to 
peace. 

The  97th  P.  V.  was  of  the  number  that  participated.  About 
one  hundred  of  the  original  officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment  met 
at  West  Chester,  on  the  morning  of  July  4,  and  proceeded  to  Phila 
delphia,  on  the  West  Chester  and  Philadelphia  Railroad,  being 
under  the  command  of  Brevet  Col.  I.  Price.  Upon  arriving  at 
West  Philadelphia,  they  were  joined  by  other  members  of  the  Reg 
iment.  The  line  was  then  formed  and  the  Regiment  marched  over 
Market  Street  Bridge,  thence  to  Twenty-first  Street  and  to  Walnut 
Street,  where  it  joined  the  line  of  the  parade,  Col.  Price  having 
been  directed  to  report  to  Maj.  Gen.  R.  Patterson,  to  whose  division 


588  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

the  Regiment  was  assigned.  The  parade  marched  over  the  desig 
nated  route,  arriving  at  Independence  Square,  at  2  P.  M.,  where  the 
troops  were  closed  in  mass  within  the  enclosure.  The  regiments 
being  then  called  by  number,  the  old  and  battle-torn  flags  were  re 
turned  to  the  hands  of  Gov.  Curtin  to  be  preserved  in  safe  custody 
at  the  State  capital,  at  Harrisburg. 

An  effort  was  made  to  get  an  accurate  roll  of  the  names  of  the 
members  of  the  Regiment  in  attendance  upon  this  occasion;  but  it 
was  only  partially  accomplished,  as  many  failed  to  report  their 
names  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  enrollment,  and  it  was  found 
impossible  to  complete  the  list  in  the  line  upon  the  march.  The 
following  is  the  list  so  far  as  obtained : 

Brevet  Col.  Isaiah  Price,  commanding  97th  P.  V. 

Brevet  Maj.  David  Jones,  late  quarter-master. 

Surgeon  P.  J.  Nichols. 

Drum  Major  James  St.  John. 

Company  A — 1st  Sergt.  Henry  T.  Gray,  color  guard;.  Drummer 
Willie  St.  John;  Musician  Edward  R.  Eisenbies;  Privates  David 
M.  Taylor,  John  Mercer  and  William  H.  H.  Starts,  color  guard. 

Company  B — Sergt.  Gerhard  Reeder,  color  guard. 

Company  C — 1st  Lieuts.  Henry  Kauffman,  Jr.,  and  George  W. 
Abel;  Sergt.  Isaac  A.  Cleaver;  Corp.  Davis  O.  Taylor;  Privates 
Edward  Mendenhall,  Emmor  B.  Hickman,  William  D.  Thomas, 
John  L.  Kitts,  Francis  Hoffman,  Asher  M.  Kinnard  and  Samuel 
A.  March. 

Company  D — Capts.  William  S.  Mendenhall  and  Isaac  B.  Taylor. 

Company  E — Drummer  Charles  Riley. 

Company  F — Capt.  D.  W.  Clinton  Lewis;  Sergt.  Thomas  Evan 
Brown;  Musician  Thomas  St.  John. 

Company  G — 1st  Lieut.  Gasway  O.  Yarnall;  2d  Lieut.  William 
H.  Eaves;  Sergt.  John  Ray,  color  guard;  Corps.  Eli  B.  Grubb  and 
William  H.  Cox;  Private  William  H.  Snyder. 

Company  H — Capt.  Theodore  M.  Smedley;  Sergt.  George  H. 
Cook;  Corps.  Isaac  T.  Massey  and  Abner  Evans,  color  guard; 
Musician  Milton  S.  Taylor;  Privates  Ezra  Sullivan,  James  G.  Ford, 
William  H  Hardin  and  John  J.  Mcllvaine. 

Company  I — Sergt.  Horatio  A.  Powell. 

Company  K — Capt.  William  S.  Underwood;  1st  Lieut.  William 
M.  Sullivan;  Sergt.  John  M.  Farra;  Sergt.  Joseph  K.  Montgomery; 
Corp.  Barnett  R.  Rapp;  Musician  John  Kauffman. 


PROCEEDINGS    IN    REGARD    TO    A    MONUMENT. 


589 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

PROCEEDINGS  IN  REGARD  TO  A  MONUMENT. 

HILE  Col.  H.  R.  Guss  was  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  Regiment  there  had  accumulated  a  fund. 
from  the  percentage  levied  upon  the  monthly  sales 
of  the  sutler,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Regiment. 
This  fund  amounted,  on  June  23,  1864,  to  about 
eighteen  hundred  dollars.  Previous  to  Col.  Guss' 
return  home  it  had  been  forwarded,  for  safe  keep 
ing,  to  his  bank  account  at  West  Chester. 
On  August  14,  1864,  there  was  received  from  the  post  treasurer 
at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars  and 
fifty-two  cents  ($1,835.52),  being  the  share  due  the  97th  P.  V.  of 
the  post  savings  upon  the  settlement  and  distribution  of  the  fund 
at  that  post.  This  sum  was  received  of  the  post  treasurer,  Lieut. 
Col.  W.  F.  Bennett,  by  Maj.  I.  Price,  and  by  him  paid  over  to  Col. 
G.  Pennypacker  when  that  officer  resumed  the  command  of  the 
Regiment. 

Owing  to  the  large  number  of  casualties  in  the  service,  to 
loss  from  discharges,  and  the  muster  out  of  those  whose  term  of 
service  had  expired,  but  few  of  the  original  officers  and  men  would 
much  longer  remain  in  the  service.  Not  desiring  to  retain  the  cus 
tody  and  responsibility  of  so  large  a  sum  during  the  active  opera 
tions  just  commenced  north  of  the  James,  Col.  Pennypacker  called 
together  a  few  of  the  officers,  on  August  23,  1864,  to  consult  in 
regard  to  the  disposal  of  the  fund.  It  was  then  determined  to  dis 
tribute  the  amount  in  his  possession  to  the  several  companies  of  the 
Regiment  as  company  fund,  to  meet  the  present  wants  of  the  men. 
Reference  was  then  made  to  the  fund  in  charge  of  Col.  Guss. 
Col.  Pennypacker  suggested  that — inasmuch  as  the  original  men  of 
the  Regiment,  for  whose  benefit  that  fund  had  accrued,  had  become 
so  widely  separated  and  many  having  fallen  in  the  service,  rendering 
it  impossible  to  make  equitable  distribution  of  it — it  should  be 


590  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

devoted  toward  the  purpose  of  a  Monumental  Fund,  for  the  fallen  of 
the  Regiment,  to  be  completed  when  the  war  was  over.  This  pro 
position  was  received  with  united  favor.  Col.  Pennypacker  com 
municated  to  Col.  Guss  the  action  of  those  present  upon  the  sugges 
tion,  when  that  officer  forwarded  his  concurrence  in  writing  and 
proposed  giving  his  check  for  the  amount  in  his  hands.  It  was, 
however,  decided  by  the  council  of  officers  to  let  the  fund  remain 
in  Col.  Guss'  possession  at  interest  for  the  benefit  of  the  object  in 
view. 

There  was  no  further  action  taken  in  the  matter  until  the  spring 
of  1867.  A  few  of  the  surviving  officers  of  the  Regiment  then  met 
and  it  was  decided  to  call  a  meeting  of  all  the  officers  for  consul 
tation  in  regard  to  the  erection  of  an  appropriate  monument. 

Public  notice  was  given  through  the  papers  of  the  district,  ap 
pointing  the  meeting  at  West  Chester,  on  April  6,  1867.  An  ab 
stract  of  the  proceedings  of  that  and  subsequent  meetings  held,  is 
here  given: 

The  meeting,  April  7,  1867,  was  attended  by  twenty-five  of  the  members.  Maj. 
Gen.  G.  Pennypacker  was  called  to  the  chair  and  Brevet  Col.  Price  appointed 
secretary.  Col.  Guss  submitted  a  statement,  in  writing,  respecting  the  fund  in 
his  possession,  amounting  to  two  thousand  and  thirteen  dollars  and  ninety-five 
cents  ($2,013.95),  which  he  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  meeting.  He  also  sub 
mitted  a  communication  from  Prof.  Samuel  P.  Bates,  State  Historian,  requesting 
a  sketch  of  the  services  of  the  Regiment.  These  communications  were  read 
and  directed  to  be  referred  to  a  committee  on  finance,  to  be  appointed. 

A  committee  on  finance  was  then  appointed,  to  have  charge  of  the  fund,  with 
power  to  invest  it  temporarily  and  to  pay  properly  authenticated  bills.  Col.  H. 
R.  Guss,  chairman;  Lieut.  Col.  A.  P.  Duer  and  Capt.  William  S.  Underwood, 
committee. 

A  committee  of  seven  on  monument  was  also  appointed,  with  instructions  to 
make  the  necessary  inquiries  in  regard  to  plans  and  cost,  and  report  at  a  future 
meeting.  Committee:  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  chairman;  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  G.  Penny- 
packer;  Surgeon  John  R.  Everhart;  Capt.  William  Wayne,  Company  K;  Capt. 
Jonas  M  C.  Savage,  Company  B;  1st  Lieut  G.  O.  Yarnall,  Company  G;  2d 
Lieut.  Annesley  N.  Morton,  Company  I  (captain  15th  Cavalry.) 

A  committee  was  next  appointed  to  have  charge  of  the  necessary  arrange 
ments  for  inaugural  ceremonies  and  dedication.  Brevet  Col.  Isaiah  Price,  chair 
man;  Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis;  Surgeon  Pennock  J.  Nichols;  Brevet 
Maj.  David  Jones;  Capt.  William  S.  Mendenhall,  Company  D;  Capt.  Francis  M. 
Guss,  Company  A;  Capt.  Charles  Mcllvaine,  Company  H;  Chaplain  David  W. 
Moore;  Maj.  Leonard  Thomas;  Capt.  George  W.  Dufiee,  Company  I;  1st  Lieut. 
Emmor  G.  Griffith,  Company  C;  1st  Lieut.  John  McGrath,  Company  E;  2d 
Lieut.  William  H.  Eves,  Company  G. 

Gen.  Pennypacker  then  made  a  statement  in  regard  to  the  fund  in  Col.  Guss' 


PROCEEDINGS   IN   REGARD   TO   A   MONUMENT.  591 

possession,  explaining  the  manner  in  which  it  had  accrued  and  the  object   to 
which  it  was  proposed  to  devote  it,  which  was  satisfactory  to  the  meeting. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  on  finance  was  directed  to  furnish  Prof.  Bates, 
State  Historian,  with  any  information  concerning  the  history  of  the  Ninety- 
Seventh  Regiment  that  could  be  obtained  from  the  records  or  other  sources,  and 
the  chairman  of  the  meeting  was  directed  to  transmit  to  Prof.  Bates  a  copy  of 
the  resolutions  as  a  reply  to  his  communication. 

A  resolution  was  adopted,  expressing  as  the  sense  of  the  meeting,  that  the 
monument  should  be  erected  by  October  29,  18G8,  the  seventh  anniversary  of  the 
organization,  and  that  the  ceremonies  attendant  upon  the  inauguration  of  the 
monument  be  conducted  on  that  day. 

It  was  also  resolved,  as  the  sentiment  of  the  meeting,  that  the  monument — 
provided  the  consent  of  the  county  commissioners  could  be  obtained — be  erected 
in  the  Court  House  yard,  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Market  Streets,  in  the 
Borough  of  West  Chester;  and  that  no  contributions  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  the 
monument  be  asked  from  others  than  those  who  have  been  connected  with  the 
Regiment  or  identified  with  its  interests. 

At  the  suggestion  of  the  chairman,  Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  D.  W.  C.  Lewis  was 
directed  to  express  the  unanimous  thanks  of  the  meeting  to  the  Fame  Engine 
Company  for  the  use  of  their  hall,  in  which  the  meeting  convened. 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  at  Media,  at  11  A.  M.  on  Tuesday,  October 
29,  1867. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Media,  on  October  29,  1867. 
In  the  absence  of  the  chairman,  Brevet  Maj.  David  Jones  was  appointed  chair 
man  pro.  tern.  The  number  present  was  about  fourteen.  The  minutes  of  the 
meeting,  April  7,  1867,  were  read  and  adopted.  Committee  on  Finance  reported 
progress  through  Capt.  Underwood,  the  only  member  present,  who  also  stated 
particulars  of  interest  manifested  by  members  of  the  Regiment  whom  he  bad 
met  and  made  inquiry  as  to  authority  to  collect  funds  for  the  monument.  The 
report  was  accepted  and  committee  continued. 

Committee  on  Monument  reported,  in  writing,  the  minutes  of  their  proceedings, 
by  which  it  is  set  forth  that  the  committee,  sub-divided,  hail  given  attention  to 
the  examination  of  plans,  specifications,  etc.,  and  from  accompanying  reports  of 
these  sub-committees,  "  That  they  had  visited  certain  marble  yards  and  ceme 
teries  in  and  near  Philadelphia  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  money 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  Committee  on  Finance  is  insufficient  to  procure  such 
a  monument  as  would  meet  the  wishes  of  the  Committee  on  Monument  and  the 
officers  of  the  Regiment.  This  committee  would,  therefore,  recommend  to  the 
meeting  to  be  held  at  Media,  on  the  29tb  inst.,  that  efforts  be  made  to  increase 
the  fund  by  soliciting  contributions  from  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Regi 
ment  and  from  friends  identified  with  its  interests." 

"To  this  end  the  Sub  Committee  on  Monument  would  also  recommend  that  a 
committee  be  appointed,  to  consist  of  officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment,  for  that 
purpose.  Of  the  Committee  on  Monument  it  is  known  that  there  are  those  who 
have  already  contributed  each  one  hundred  dollars  toward  increasing  the  fuod, 
and  it  is  earnestly  hoped  that  there  are  still  others  of  the  Regiment  who  will 
do  the  same."  The  report  was  accepted  and  the  committee  continued. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  also  reported,  in  writing,  submitting  a  plan  of 


592  HISTORY   OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

arrangements  for  the  occasion  of  dedication,  which,  being  accepted,  was  directed 
to  be  placed  on  file  and  the  committee  continued. 

The  suggestions  of  the  Committee  on  Monument  were  then  acted  upon,  and 
it  was  determined  to  increase  the  monumental  fund  by  soliciting  subscriptions 
from  the  members  of  the  Regiment.  A  large  committee  of  officers  and  meu 
was  appointed,  and  directed  to  report  at  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  West  Chester, 
on  January  6,  1868,  to  which  time  and  place  the  meeting  then  adjourned. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  on  January  6,  1868,  the  members  again  convened. 
In  the  absence  of  the  chairman,  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss  was  appointed 
president  pro  tern.  On  taking  the  chair,  Gen.  Guss  made  a  few  remarks,  in  regard 
to  the  object  of  the  meeting,  for  the  information  of  such  as  had  not  attended  the 
previous  meetings. 

The  three  standing  committees  reported  progress  and  were  continued.  From 
the  committee  to  collect  funds,  the  following  reported  the  amounts  collected  by 
them:  Capt.  Francis  M.  Guss,  Company  A,  $126.00;  Musician  Edward  R.  Eisen- 
beis,  Company  A,  $106.00;  Private  Alexander  Chandler,  Company  A,  $10.00; 
Private  John  Mercer,  Company  A,  $5.00;  Sergt.  W.  Nichols,  Company  B, 
$45.00;  Corp.  Levis  T.  Beidler,  Company  C,  $30.75;  Private  George  Walton, 
Company  C,  $10.00;  Private  Robert  A.  Wilson,  Company  C,  $12.00;  Private 
John  L.  Kitts,  Company  C,  $41.00;  Lieut.  Isaiah  Bird,  Company  G,  $8.00; 
Sergt.  Joseph  H.  Walton,  Company  H,  $4.60.  Total  collected,  $398.  85.  This 
amount  was  then  paid  over  to  the  chairman  of  the  Finance  Committee,  Gen. 
H.  R.  Guss,  who  duly  receipted  for  the  same.  The  committee  was  continued  in 
order  to  make  further  efforts  and  report  in  April,  1868.  The  meeting  adjourned 
to  meet  at  West  Chester,  on  April  27,  1868,  at  the  Green  Tree  Hotel. 

About  this  time  and  subsequent  to  the  meeting  at  Media,  Oc 
tober  29,  1867,  there  had  been  much  feeling  excited  in  the  district 
in  regard  to  the  proposed  monument.  Several  communications  in 
the  papers  had  assailed  the  motives  of  the  members  of  the  Regi 
ment,  charging  "selfishness  and  an  unworthy  exclusiveness"  on 
the  part  of  the  Regiment  in  proposing  to  "erect  a  monument  for 
the  Ninety-Seventh  only."  These,  though  anonymous  and  irre 
sponsible,  were  calculated  to  engender  antagonism  and  animosity, 
and  tended  to  place  the  Regiment  and  its  object  unjustly  in  an  atti 
tude  of  disrespect  to  those  brave  men  of  other  organizations  who 
had  fallen  in  the  late  conflict.  To  correct  whatever  misapprehen 
sion  might  be  created  in  the  public  mind  by  these  correspondents  of 
classic  nom-de-plume — which  concealed  neither  identity  nor  juve 
nile  inexperience  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  service  and  its  re 
sults — it  was  deemed  proper  to  present  the  following  statement  in 
refutation  of  the  charge  of  selfishness  and  exclusiveness — setting 
forth  the  fact  that  want  of  co-operation  alone  prevented  the  97th 
Regiment  from  joining  in  the  erection  of  a  general  monument  to 


PROCEEDINGS   IN    REGARD   TO   A   MONUMENT.  593 

all  who  foil  in  the  service — or  gave  occasion  for  this  vindication  of 
the  claim  of  the  Regiment  to  the  privilege  of  devoting  its  private 
fund  to  the  purpose  proposed. 

PHILADELPHIA,  January  7,  1868. 
MAJOR  MOORE: 

DEAR  SIR:  My  attention  has  just  been  called  to  an  article  in  your  paper  of 
December  17,  signed  "  Justicia,"  in  which  the  purpose  of  the  survivors  of  the 
OTtb  P.  V.  to  erect  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  their  fallen  comrades,  is  de 
nounced  as  a  selfish  measure,  unworthy  of  (he  brave  men  who  served  in  that 
Regiment  and  a  slight  to  the  memory  of  other  equally  brave  and  meritorious 
soldiers  who  fell  in  the  defence  of  their  country,  while  serving  with  other  regi 
ments. 

It  is  evident  that  the  writer  of  that  article  never  followed  any  of  those  heroic 
leaders,  whom  be  names,  very  far  to  the  front,  for  no  soldier  who  has  done  this 
will  ever  bring  the  charge  of  selfishness  against  any  regiment  that  may  propose 
to  erect  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  its  own  dead.  On  the  contrary,  he  will 
see  in  such  a  purpose  a  most  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  all;  the  most 
obscure  that  may  have  fallen  in  the  service.  The  regimental  organization  is  the 
.soldier's  family  tie  in  the  service,  and  when  any  regiment  may  be  so  fortunate 
as  to  have  the  means  of  erecting  a  monument  in  a  suitable  locality,  there  can  be 
no  more  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  all,  than  every  soldier  will  see  in  such 
a  one  as  a  regiment  may  have  reared  to  its  fallen  dead. 

Neither  would  a  soldier,  who  had  followed  either  of  the  illustrious  leaders 
named,  have  made  such  reference  to  the  names  of  Gen.  Guss  or  the  brave  young 
Gen.  Penny  packer  as  must  bring  the  blush  of  shame  to  the  cheek  of  every 
soldier  who  reads  it,  that  either  of  these  brave  men,  or  even  the  humblest  man 
that  served  under  them,  should  be  subjected  to  the  meanness  of  the  insinuations 
that,  in  our  purpose,  ihere  was  either  selfishness  or  a  design  to  leave  unhonored 
the  names  and  memory  of  those  other  brave  heroes  who  fell  serving  nobly  in 
the  same  great  cause  and  whom  we  cherish  even  as  our  own  fallen  comrades. 

Nearly  two  years  ago  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  funds  to  erect  a  monument 
to  the  memory  of  the  soldiers  who  fell  during  the  war  who  went  from  Chester 
County.  The  officers  of  the  97th  P.  V.  proposed  to  join  in  the  movement,  and 
offered  to  place  the  amount  in  their  possession  in  a  general  fund  for  a  monument, 
provided  an  amount — proportioned  to  our  fund,  and  our  number,  to  the  number 
of  soldiers  from  the  district — could  be  raised,  say  ten  thousand  dollars  in  all. 
But  the  effort  failed  because  the  soldiers  are  not  rich.  There  was  not  sufficient 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  "Justicia,"  who,  after  (as  during)  the  war,  leave  the 
soldier  alone  in  his  glory  of  raising  wherewith  to  erect  a  monument  to  the 
memory  of  his  fallen  comrades. 

In  thus  proposing  to  raise  a  monument  "to  our  fallen,"  we  forget  not  other 
brave  ones  who  as  nobly  fell!  We  only  reaffirm  the  admiration  for  all  these 
that  we  endeavored  to  show  for  our  brave  fallen  companions  while  living,  by 
going  forth  with  them  into  the  fight  for  our  country's  cause,  none  knowing  who 
should  return!  And  now — when  animated  by  the  cherished  and  sacred  feeling 
toward  our  dead,  that,  when  the  family  circle  is  broken,  prompts  the  bereaved 
to  place  a  stone  to  mark  the  grave  of  the  missing  ones  there — are  we  to  be  put 
38 


594  HISTORY   OF   THE   NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

in  public  arraignment,  by  some  self-styled  "Justicia."  and  charged  with  "selfish 
ness,"  when  we  propose  to  erect  a  fitting  monument  for  our  dead  comrades?  As 
well  might  he  arraign  every  husband  and  father  whose  means  have  enabled  him 
to  place  a  marble  shaft  over  the  resting  place  of  his  beloved  dead,  and  publish 
him  to  the  world  as  selfish  and  exclusive  because  he  has  not  erected  a  monument 
for  other  wives  or  children. 

The  97th,  in  honoring  their  dead,  as  they  propose  to  do,  can  take  nothing  from 
the  lustre  of  the  memory  of  those  other  martyrs  of  our  country,  whose  names 
are  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  every  surviving  member  of  the  97th,  far  more 
deeply  than  "Justicia"  can  write  them. 

If  the  People  of  the  county  and  district  shall  continue  derelict  in  meeting  the 
debt  they  and  not  the  97th,  or  any  other  Regiment,  owe  to  these  Immortal 
Heroes,  in  providing  an  appropriate  monument  whereon  to  inscribe  their  names 
also,  then  soldiers  will  be  found  who  will  do  it,  and  the  members  of  the  97th 
will  not  be  behind  any  others. 

Your  correspondent  E.  has  made  the  statement  of  facts  relative  to  the  fund 
and  the  manner  proposed  by  which  to  increase  it,  sufficiently  plain.  It  remains 
only  to  repeat  that  the  members  of  the  Regiment  are  doing  this  work  themselves, 
none  but  members  of  the  Regiment  and  those  identified  with  its  interests  being 
solicited  for  contributions  or  requested  to  aid  to  any  extent  whatever. 
Respectfully,  yours, 

ISAIAH  PRICE, 

Maj.  97th  P.  Y.  and  Brevet  Col.  U.  S.  V. 

The  correspondent  E,  referred  to,  presented  briefly  the  action  of 
the  members  in  regard  to  the  monument  with  the  facts  as  herein 
given. 

Public  attention  being  again  drawn  to  the  matter,  it  was  thought 
possible  that  a  renewed  interest  might  be  awakened  on  the  sub 
ject  of  a  general  monument,  which  might  result  in  such  action  as 
would  secure  the  erection  of  a  monument  that  should  be  the  expres 
sion  of  the  people  of  the  district,  creditable  to  themselves  in  com 
memoration  of  the  services  of  all  who  fell  in  the  contest  for  the  su 
premacy  between  liberty  and  despotism  in  the  land.  The  propo 
sition,  more  than  two  years  before  tendered  of  joining  in  such  a 
purpose,  was  now  renewed  by  the  members  of  the  97th  P.V. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  another  meeting  was  held  at  West  Chester,  on  April 
27,  1868,  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss  in  the  chair.  The  standing  committees  reported  pro 
gress  and  were  continued.  Committee  on  Collections  reported  progress,  and  col 
lected  by  Sergt.  Joseph  H.  Walton,  Company  H,  §4.75;  Private  M.  W.  Mont 
gomery,  Company  C,  $4.00,  which  was  paid  to  the  chairman  of  Finance  Com 
mittee.  The  committee  was  continued  to  report  at  next  meeting  to  be  held  at 
West  Chester,  on  January  13,  1868,  at  which  time  it  was  expected  all  the  sub 
scription  papers  would  be  returned  with  the  amounts  collected.  The  following 
resolution  was  offered  for  consideration: 


PROCEEDINGS   IN    REGARD    TO    A    MONUMENT.  595 

Resolved,  That  the  97th  P.  V.  having  determined  to  erect  a  monument  to  their 
fallen  comrades,  and  having  in  possession  for  that  purpose  a  fund  amounting  to 
about  twenty-five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($2,550.00),  and  it  being  considered 
by  some  desirable  to  have  a  general  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  all  who 
fell  in  the  service  of  their  country  from  this  district,  to  be  contributed  to  by  all 
who  have  an  interest  in  the  matter.  The  members  of  the  Ninety-Seventh  Regi 
ment,  being  animated  by  a  desire  to  recognize  the  services  and  to  cherish  the  me 
mory  of  all  who  fell  in  the  defence  of  our  country — again  propose  to  the  citizens 
of  Chester  and  Delaware  Counties  to  join  in  such  general  purpose;  Provided  a 
fund  equal  to  an  amount  of  which  the  sum  now  in  possession  of,  or  to  be  con 
tributed  by  the  97th  P.  V.,  shall  be  one-fourth  part — shall  be  guaranteed  by 
some  prompt  and  responsible  action  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  the  district. 

Otherwise  Resolved,  That  the  97th  P.  V.  will  at  once,  at  the  next  meeting, 
adopt  a  plan  and  contract  for  a  monument  with  the  funds  in  their  possession,  as 
contemplated  in  the  previous  meetings  of  the  members  of  the  Regiment. 

The  resolution  and  its  alternate  were  adopted,  and  the  secretary  directed  to 
furnish  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss  with  a  copy  for  the  information  of  the  citizens  or 
members  of  other  organizations  desirous  of  conferring  with  the  committee  of  the 
97th  P.  Y.  in  regard  to  a  monument.  Then  adjourned  to  meet  at  West  Chester, 
on  June  13,  1868. 

On  June  6,  1868,  the  Secretary  had  received  from  Privates  David 
M.  Taylor,  Company  A,  and  Robert  A.  Wilson,  Company  C,  col 
lected  by  them  for  monument  fund,  $41.00,  which  was  paid  over 
to  Gen.  H.  R.  Guss,  chairman. 

On  June  13,  1868,  the  Secretary  being  prevented  from  attend 
ance,  the  minutes  of  previous  meetings  were  forwarded  to  Gen. 
H.  R.  Guss,  and  afterward  returned  with  the  information  that  but 
three  members  were  present  and  that  the  meeting  was  not  organized 
for  want  of  a  quorum. 

To  the  failure  of  attendance  at  the  meeting  appointed  for  June 
13,  1868,  may  be  attributed  in  a  measure  the  failure  of  further 
action  at  that  time  in  regard  to  the  monument.  The  widely  scat 
tered  members  of  the  Regiment  found  it  difficult  to  get  together 
to  promote  the  object  which  all  had  at  heart.  Collections  for  in 
creasing  the  fund  were  necessarily  limited,  owing  to  the  limited 
means  of  most  of  the  members  and  their  isolation  from  each  other. 
Those  most  active  in  the  movement,  anxious  that  whatever  action 
was  taken  should  be  based  upon  the  broadest  feeling  of  a  common 
interest  on  the  part  of  all  in  the  community,  to  appropriately  recog 
nize  the  services  of  all  who  fell  in  the  great  cause,  had  from  the 
outset  expressed  their  willingness  to  unite  with  the  efforts  of  others, 
and  invited  such  co-operation  as  would  secure  the  accomplishment 
of  the  desired  object  both  individually  and  by  formal  resolution. 


596  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

But  there  was  no  united  movement  on  the  part  of  others  that  gave 
any  hope  of  the  consummation  of  a  general  purpose,  either  presently 
or  remotely.  The  delay  of  weeks,  to  afford  opportunity  for  some 
movement  toward  co-operation,  grew  into  months  and  even  years 
in  the  rapid  flight  of  time.  At  length  it  was  determined,  by  those 
in  whose  hands  the  interests  of  the  97th  Regiment  rested,  that  there 
should  be  no  more  delay  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  already-too- 
long-deferred  sacred  purpose.  The  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  Gen. 
G.  Pennypacker,  being  upqn  a  visit  to  West  Chester,  during  his 
leave  of  absence  from  his  command,  upon  consultation  with  other 
members  of  the  Regiment,  determined  to  call  a  meeting  for  further 
action  in  regard  to  the  monument,  and  directed  the  Secretary  to 
issue  the  following  call: 

WEST  CHESTER,  PA.,  February  3,  1873. 

By  a  resolution  adopted  at  a  previous  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  97th 
P.  V.,  the  chairman  of  the  meeting  was  authorized  to  call  another  meeting  at 
such  time  as  should  be  deemed  advisable.  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  a 
meeting  of  the  members  of  the  97th  P.  V.  is  hereby  called  at  the  Green  Tree 
Hotel,  West  Chester,  on  Saturday,  February  22,  1873,  at  12  o'clock  M. 
By  order  of  the  chairman, 

ISAIAH  PRICE, 

Maj.  97th  P.  V.  and  Brevet  Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Secretary. 

At  this  meeting  there  were  present  of  the  field  and  staff,  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  G. 
Pennypacker,  IT.  S.  A.,  Chairman;  Brevet  Maj.  Gen.  II.  R.  Guss,  U.  S.  V.;  Lieut. 
Col.  A.  P.  Duer;  Brevet  Col.  I.  Price,  Secretary;  Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  D.  W.  C. 
Lewis;  Brevet  Maj.  D.  Jones;  Chaplain  D.  W.  Moore. 

Company  A — Capt.  F.  M.  Guss;  Privates  Thomas  J.  Miller,  Hailman  P.  Talley 
and  James  Evans. 

Company  C — Sergts.  Stephen  H.  Eachus  snd  Isaac  A.  Cleaver;  Corps.  C. 
Burleigh  Harnbleton  and  James  J.  Dewees;  Privates  Abraham  Cobourn,  Elias 
0.  Griffith,  Emrnor  B.  Hickman,  Asher  M.  Kinnard,  William  H.  Speakman,  J. 
Jones  Still,  William  I).  Thomas  and  Joel  W.  Van  Meter. 

Company  D — 2d  Lieut.  J.  W.  Brooks;  Sergt.  David  W.  Morrow;  Privates 
Abraham  Fawkes,  William  H.  Griffith  and  Walter  Pyle. 

Company  E — Sergt.  George  L.  Smith  ;  Corp.  George  Jenkins. 

Company  F — 2d  Lieut.  Thomas  Cosgriff. 

Company  G — Capt.  Caleb  Hoopes;  Sergt.  Charles  Gray;  Private  Crosley  B. 
Wilson. 

Company  H — 1st  Lieut.  Phares  P.  Brown;  Sergt.  Robert  Walker;  Privates 
Marshall  B.  England,  Abner  Evans,  Abia  C.  E.  Miller. 

Company  I — Capt.  George  W.  DurTee;  2d  Lieut.  George  M.  Middleton; 
Corp.  James  Groff;  Pioneer  William  J.  Duulap. 

Company  K — Capt.  William  Wayne;  1st  Lieut.  John  J.  Barber;  Sergt.  R. 
Powell  Fithian ;  Private  Isaac  Harrison. 


PROCEEDINGS   IN    REGARD   TO   A   MONUMENT.  597 

The  Chairman  invited  Chaplain  Moore  to  open  the  meeting  with  prayer,  which 
he  did,  impressively  invoking  for  their  deliberations  the  presence  of  the  Mercifu 
Father,  who  had  permitted  these  survivors  of  the  Regiment  to  meet  again 
under  the  auspices  of  peace  and  its  attendant  blessings,  with  a  country  restored 
to  prosperity  and  progress. 

-Minutes  of  previous  meetings  were  then  read. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts  of  the  Treasurer  of  Fi 
nance  Committee,  with  instructions  to  retire  and  report  during  the  pitting. 

The  Committees  on  Monument  and  Inauguration  reported  progress  and  were 
continued. 

That  of  collection  reported  the  following  amounts  subscribed:  Capt.  Caleb 
Hoopes,  $20.00;  Brevet  Maj.  I).  Jones,  subscrilied  by  various  persons,  $100.00; 
Private  J.  W.  Van  Meter,  $10.00.  Total  subscribed,  $130.00,  which  was  directed 
to  be  collected  and  paid  over  to  the  Treasurer,  Gen.  II  R.  Guss. 

The  committee  to  audit  Treasurer's  account  returned  and  reported  us  follows: 
Original  fund,  as  per  minutes  of  Secretary,  April  6,  1807,  $201  :*  95 

Taid  by  committee,  as  per  resolution,  same  meeting.  500  00 


Balance  remaining  on  hand  at  that  date.  $1513  95 

Amounts  collected,  as  shown  by  receipts  of  Treasurer,  448  00 

Which  sum,  at  compound  interest  for  six  years,  amounts  to  $2795  74 

The  Treasurer  having  made  return  ot  that  amount  as  the  sum  in  his  hands, 
the  above  statement  is  respectfully  submitted  by  the  committee  as  their  report. 
[Signed]  P.  W.  C.  LEWIS, 

CALEB  HOOPES, 
R.  P.  FITHIAN,  Committee. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  the  committee  discharged. 

A  resolution  was  then  passed,  with  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Brevet  Maj.  (Jen.  II.  R. 
Guss  for  his  care  and  judicious  investment  of  the  funds  in  bis  possession,  which, 
received  the  vote  of  every  member  present. 

A  motion  was  then  introduced  directing  that  the  Committee  on  Monument 
proceed  immediately  with  the  erection  of  a  monument  with  the  present  fund, 
which  it  was  moved  to  amend  as  follow*: 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Monument  be  hereby  authorized  and  directed 
to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  having  the  contemplated  monument 
erected  by  October  29,  1873,  the  twelfth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the 
Regiment;  and  that  the  Treasurer  be  instructed  to  pay  all  bills  approved  by 
that  committee  and  no  other;  that  the  Treasurer,  at  any  time,  on  the  call  of 
the  committee,  is  hereby  requested  to  furnish  an  exhibit  of  the  funds  in  his  pos 
session;  the  committee  to  have  plenary  power  in  reference  to  the  erection  and 
inauguration  of  the  monument. 

After  remarks  from  several  members,  the  resolution  as  amended  was  passed 
with  but  a  single  dissenting  vote.  A  motion  to  reconsider  was  negatived  by  a 
unanimous  vote,  and  the  resolution  prevailed  unanimously. 

Maj.  Gen.  Pennvpacker  then  called  Capt.  William  Wayne  to  the  chair,  stating 
to  the  meeting  his  desire  to  offer  for  consideration  the  resolution  that  appears  on 
the  first  page  of  the  preface  to  this  history.  He  then  stated  briefly  his  opinion 


598  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

of  the  sketch  therein  referred  to.  The  resolution  was  then  passed  unanimously, 
and  followed  by  another,  offered  by  Chaplain  D.  W.  Moore,  which  is  also  given 
in  the  preface. 

Brevet  Col.  Price  then  stated  his  unwillingness  to  receive  any  guarantee  of 
remuneration  for  undertaking  the  history,  from  the  funds  of  the  Regiment,  but 
would  consent  to  prepare  and  publish  the  work  by  subscription,  provided  suffi 
cient  subscribers  could  be  obtained  at  a  price  which  would  cover  the  expense  of 
publication.  This  the  members  present  expressed  confidence  could  be  done. 
Thirty-two  subscriptions  were  then  made  and  the  price  fixed  at  five  dollars  per 
copy,  estimated  to  contain  two  hundred  and  fifty  pages,  the  requisite  number 
to  meet  expenses  being  computed  at  about  two  hundred. 

Bills  for  printing,  etc.,  were  presented  amounting  to  twenty  dollars,  which, 
being  approved,  were  directed  to  be  paid. 

Letters  were  received  from  Col.  Wainwright  and  Capt.  Mendenhall  expressing 
regret  for  being  unavoidably  absent,  and  assuring  the  members  of  the  Regi 
ment  of  their  co-operation  with  the  object  of  the  meeting. 

Having  accomplished  the  purpose  for  which  it  had  convened,  the  meeting  ad 
journed,  subject  to  the  call  of  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Monument. 

In  conformity  with  the  action  taken  at  this  meeting  the  Commit 
tee  on  Monument  held  several  sessions  to  consider  plans  for  a  monu 
ment,  and  early  in  April,  1873,  adopted  the  following,  submitted 
by  Maj.  David  Jones: 

A  granite  base  five  feet  square  and  two  feet  four  inches  thick,  on  which 
a  moulding  four  feet  square  by  one  foot  thick  rests.  Next  a  die,  three  feet  four 
inches  square,  is  placed,  upon  which  the  inscription  will  be  wrought,  while 
on  the  die  a  cap  moulding  is  shown,  and  sub  die  two  feet  four  inches  square 
by  three  feet,  six  inches  high,  with  segment  cap  moulding  twelve  inches  in 
thickness.  On  the  sub  die,  festooned  State  and  National  flags,  with  a  stack  of 
muskets,  will  be  carved  in  bold  relief.  On  this  die  also  rests  another  moulding 
of  proportionate  dimensions,  on  which  is  placed  the  obelisk  fourteen  feet  high,  one 
foot  six  inches  square  at  its  base,  graduafly  lessening  to  its  top.  On  the  obelisk, 
about  midway  of  its  height,  a  laurel  wreath  encircling  "97"  in  relief  is  shown. 
On  the  extreme  top  an  American  eagle  as  in  the  act  to  soar  is  placed,  which 
completes  the  description  of  the  monument  plan  proper.  The  tribute  will  be 
placed  upon  a  terraced  foundation  about  two  feet  high,  around  which  a  granite 
octagonal  curbing  is  proposed,  surmounted  with  a  heavy  iron  railing.  The  en 
closure  will  occupy  about  a  twelve  feet  radius,  which  if  the  monument  be  erected 
on  Market  Street,  south  of  Church  Street  (the  proper  place),  will  allow  about 
twenty-eight  feet  on  each  side,  ample  room  for  all  practical  purposes. 

On  Saturday,  May  3,  1873,  the  committee  entered  into  contract 
with  Maj.  Jones  to  have  the  monument  completed  by  the  time 
specified  for  the  dedication. 

It  was  understood  that  the  order  of  exercises  proposed  for  the 


PROCEEDINGS   IN    REGARD   TO   A   MONUMENT.  599 

time  previously  contemplated  for  the  dedication  be  mainly  carried 
out  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements. 

The  question  of  location  had  been  the  subject  of  considerable  in 
formal  discussion  durinor  the  proceedings,  leading  to  the  general 
conclusion  that  if  situated  in  close  proximity  to  the  Court  House, 
with  its  towering  steeple,  the  monument,  unless  of  colossal  propor 
tion,  would  be  overshadowed  by  it  to  a  degree  suggestive  of  mani 
fest  disproportion.  Formal  application  was  therefore  made  to  the 
Borough  Council  for  permission  to  erect  the  monument  in  the  centre 
of  Market  Street,  a  few  feet  west  of  the  western  line  of  its  inter 
section  with  Church  Street. 

The  following  transcript  from  the  minutes  of  the  Borough  Coun 
cil  is  furnished  for  the  purpose  of  a  due  understanding  of  all  the 
circumstances  attending  the  application  and  the  action  of  that 
body  in  the  case: 

At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Borough  Council  of  West  Chester,  May  13,  1873, 
A  communication  was  received  asking  permission  for  the  erec 
tion  of  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  of  the  97th  P.  V.,  in  Market 
Street,  imme.iiately  west  of  Church  Street. 

A  motion  was  offered  that  permission  be  granted.  A  substitute  was  presented 
that  the  matter  be  deferred  until  Friday  evening  next,  in  order  that  the  property 
holders  might  be  heard.  The  question  being  taken  on  the  substitute  it  was 
adopted.  *  *  * 

May  16,  1873,  special  meeting  pursuant  to  adjournment,  members  of  Council 
all  present.  P.  F.  Smith,  J.  Smith  Futhey,  Hon.  Washington  Townsend,  HOD. 
William  Wollerton,  D.  M.  McFarland,  Enos  V.  Garrett,  John  Noble,  Gen.  H.  R. 
Guss,  Evans  Rogers,  James  E.  McFarland,  E.  P.  Needles,  Col.  George  F.  Smith, 
Wilmer  W.  Thomson,  and  other  citizens  also  present. 

P.  F.  Smith,  Esq.,  presented  a  remonstrance  against  the  erection  of  a  monu 
ment  to  the  97th  P.  A',  on  Market  Street,  and  addressed  the  Board  of  Council  on 
the  subject,  denying  the  power  of  the  authorities  to  permit  it  to  be  done.  Hon. 
W.  Townsend  replied  to  Mr.  Smith,  controverting  his  arguments,  and  stating 
dimensions  of  monument;  that  it  would  be  octagonal  probably,  the  extreme 
diameter  to  be  about  twelve  feet.  J.  Smith  Futhey,  Esq.,  followed  Mr.  Town- 
send  on  the  same  side. 

Remarks  were  made  by  D.  M.  McFarland,  E  Rogers,  Hon.  William  Wol 
lerton,  Gen.  II.  R.  Guss  and  James  E.  McFarland.  After  the  withdrawal  of 
these  gentlemen,  it  was  moved  that  the  97th  Regiment  be  granted  permission 
to  erect  a  monument,  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  of  said  Regiment,  in  the  Bo 
rough  of  West  Chester,  in  the  middle  of  Market  Street,  west  of  Church  Street; 
the  extreme  diameter  between  the  sides  thereof  not  to  exceed  twelve  feet.  The 
motion  was  carried. 

Extract  from  minutes  of  Borough  Council. 

GEO.  M.  RUPERT,  Secretary. 


600  HISTORY    OF    THE    NINETY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

It  became  apparent  that  an  injunction  would  be  applied  for,  to 
prevent  the  erection  of  the  monument  at  the  place  designated,  and 
the  committee  determined  to  await  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the 
question,  it  being  mutually  understood  that  an  informal  judicial 
decision  as  to  the  power  of  the  borough  council  to  grant  such  per 
mission  might  be  had  without  recourse  to  legal  proceedings. 

The  committee  were  averse  to  unduly  pressing  the  matter  to  a 
legal  test,  upon  the  authority  granted  by  the  council,  against  the 
wishes  of  any  citizens;  preferring  to  await  the  influence  of  time 
and  the  more  favorable  judgment  of  the  opponents  of  the  location; 
trusting  that  these  might  induce  them  to  withdraw  their  objections, 
when  the  sober  second  thought  should  make  it  manifest  that  the 
monument,  so  far  from  being  a  disadvantage  to  their  property, 
would  become  an  influence  of  attractiveness,  adding  both  to  the 
value  and  popularity  of  the  locality,  from  the  desire  of  strangers 
and  visitors  to  the  borough,  as  well  as  every  citizen,  to  find  in  it 
one  of  the  chief  centres  of  public,  patriotic  and  historic  interest. 

The  question  as  to  the  authority  of  the  borough  council  in  the 
matter  having  been  subsequently  definitely  determined  in  the  nega 
tive,  recourse  was  then  had  to  the  Legislature  in  order  to  obtain 
the  requisite  enactment  to  confirm  this  action. 

By  the  terms  of  the  recently  adopted  State  constitutional  amend 
ments  touching  the  power  of  the  Legislature  in  regard  to  local 
affairs,  some  of  the  most  eminent  legal  minds  in  that  body  are  de 
cided  in  the  opinion  that  the  Legislature  is  powerless  to  act  in  the 
matter,  leaving  it  to  become  apparent  that  the  consent  of  council 
can  only  be  available  in  the  absence  of  all  opposition  on  the  part 
of  the  citizens  of  the  borough. 

It  is  intended  that  the  monument  shall  be  built !  it  is  hoped,  in 
the  locality  designated,  in  West  Chester,  with  the  consent  of  those 
who  have  opposed  it.  If  not  there,  then  in  due  season  it  will  be 
erected  at  some  other  place  where  the  property  owners  will  more 
fully  appreciate  its  presence,  and  more  thoroughly  understand  that 
it  will  continue  to  improve  whatever  locality  it  may  occupy,  with 
a  growing  value  as  time  shall  deepen  in  the  hearts  of  the  people 
increasing  gratitude  for  the  services  and  the  sacrifices  of  those  who 
gave  their  lives  that  their  country  might  live. 


INDEX.  (i()l 


INDEX. 

Abbott,  Joseph  C.,  lieut.  col.  7th  N.  II.,  171;  col.,  comd'g  brig.,  1st  div.,  24th  corps,  345. 

Able,  George  W.,  1st  sergt  co.  C,  1st  lieut.,  cupt.,  36,  873,  480,  588. 

Actions,  official  record  of,  875. 

Ames,  Adelbert,  comd'g  3d  div.,  10th  corps,  248,  285,  287,  299,  341,  350,  358,  359,  30!). 

Ames,  John  W.,  col.  6th  U.  S.  C.  T.,  358. 

Armstrong,  John,  1st  sergt.  co.  B,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  21,  22,  143,  475. 

Army  of  the  James,  246,  252,  337. 

Army  of  the  Potomac,  10th  and  18th  corps,  transferred  to  duty  with,  285 

Babb,  John  H.,  1st  lieut.  co.  E,  45,  46,  110,  508. 

Bailey,  James  E.,  maj.  3d  R.  I.  Arty.,  167. 

Baldwin,  Elwood  P.,  1st  sergt.  co.  H,  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut.,  58,  143,  295,  369,  373,  45!»,  588. 

Barber,  John  J.,  1st  lieut.  co.  K,  66,  67,  131,  143,  556,  596. 

Baruum,  Frank  D.,  115th  N.  Y.,  416;  capt.,  426. 

Bartlett,  William  P.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  1st.  div.,  9th  corps,  310. 

Barton,  Miss  Clara  H.,  177. 

Barton,  William  B.,  col.  48th  N.  Y.,  143;  comd'g  2d  brig.,  2ddiv.,  10th  corps,  301,  305,  320. 

Bates,  Samuel  P.,  State  Historian,  3,  547,  551,  590,  591. 

Battery  Strong,  capture  of,  360. 

Bell,  Louis,  col.  4th  N.  H.,  193;  comd'g  ;M  brig.,  2d  div..  10th  corps,  290,  34*,  349. 

Benham,  H.  W.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  post,  Hilton  Head,  109,  123. 

Bentonville,  N.  C.,  366,  367. 

Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  operations  at,  246,  251,  259,  273,  281,  285,  295,  298,  312,  314,  319. 

Bird,  Isaiah,  1st  sergt.  co.  G,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  55,  374,  528,  592. 

Birney.  David  B.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  div.,  9th  corps.  293;  comd'g  10th  corps,  305,  321, 
323,  325,  326,  327. 

Birney,  David  B.,  order  of  Gen.  Butler  announcing  death  of,  327. 
Birney,  William,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  brig.  C.  T. ;  comd'g  provisional  div.,  314,  316. 
Black,  Robert  L.,  sergt.  co.  A,  1st  lieut.,  capt.,  18,  113,  373,  464,  566. 
Black,  Samuel  V.,  2d  lieut.  co.  K,  66;  1st  lieut.,  67;  capt.,  68,  220,  243,  271,  317,  555,  583. 
Blockade  Runner,  capture  of,  387. 
Boat  Drill  at  Hilton  Head,  148. 
Borrell,  Joseph  M.,  2d  lieut.  co.  G,  52,  54,  143,  528. 
Borough  Council  of  West  Chester,  extract  from  minutes  of,  599. 
Botany  B:iy  Island,  S.  C.,  occupied  by  troops,  Col.  Guss  comd'g,  154. 
Braddock's  Point.  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  146. 

Brannan,  John  M.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  Dept.  of  the  South,  134,  138,  385. 
Broad  River,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  picket  duty  on,  132,  135. 
Brooke,  Hon.  H.  Jones,    12. 

Brooks,  John  W.,  corp.  co.  D,  213,  214;  sergt.,  1st  sergt.,  2d  lieut.,  373,  497,  572,  596. 
Brooks,  W.  H.  T.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  1st  div.,  10th  corps,  253,  289;  comd'g  corps,  299,  305. 
B  rosins.  Marriott,  sergt.  co.  K,  69;  pr.  2d  lieut.,  556,  583. 

Brower,  David  R.,  M.  D.,  executive  medical  officer  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  425. 
Brower,  John  H.,  corp.  co.  F,  pr.  qr.-mr.  sergt.,  342;  lieut.  and  qr.-mr.,  370,  373,  460,  520. 
Brown,  Nathaniel  W.,  col.  3d  R.  I.  Arty.,  comd'g  post,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  131. 
Brown,  Phares  P.,  sergt.  co.  H,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut.,  61,  342,  357,  374,  538,  596. 
Burnett,  Joseph  T.,  1st  lieut.  co.  F,  49,  50,  518. 
Burnham,  Hiram,  brig,  gen.,  killed  in  action,  323. 
Burnside,  Ambrose  E.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  9th  corps,  293. 

Burton,  Isaac  J.,  2d  sergt.,  co.  A,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  18,  156,  243,  305,  833,  465,  566. 
Butler,  Benjamin  F.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  Army  of  the  James,  247,  248,  249.  327,  328,  880, 
338,  344. 


602  INDEX. 

Cameron,  Hon.  Simon,  Secretary  of  War;  organization  of  regiment  authorized  by,  11. 

Camp  Cooper1,  Fla.,  capture  of  239. 

Camp  Everhart,  West  Chester,  14,  15,  77. 

Camp  Hamilton,  Portress  Monroe,  Va.,  89. 

Camp  H,  Jones  Brooke,  86. 

Camp  Lamb,  N.  C.,  rebel  prison  pen,  362. 

Camp  Wayne,  West  Chester,  regiment  organized  at,  71,  87. 

Cape  Fear  River,  entrance  to  secured,  357. 

Carruthers,  Henry  W.,  1st  lieut.  co.  C,  28;  adjt.,  30,  82,  131,  152,  200,  212  ;  capt.,  243, 

286,  316,  437,  459,  566. 

Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  near  Petersburg,  249;  action  at,  301,  308,  3ll,  320. 
Chapin's  Bluff,  Va.,  323,  336. 

Chapin's  Farm,  Va.,  331,  332,  333,  334,  339,  342,  357. 
Chapter  I,   11;  II,  71;  III,  93;  IV,  111;  V,  130;  VI,  152;  VII,  209;  VIII,  246;  IX,  273; 

X,  299;  XI,  338;  XII,  377;  XIII,  391;  XIV,  457;  XV,  565;  XVI,  587;  XVII,  589. 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  Hunter's  operations  against,  111,  127,  152,  178. 
Chatflekl,  John  L.,  col.  6th  Conn.,  170. 

Chesapeake  Hospital,  wounded  sent  to,  272,  280,  311,  314,  316,  321. 
Chester  Heights,  Va.,  action  at,  254. 
Chester  Station,  Va.,  action  at,  262. 
Chevaux-de-frise  at  Fort  Wagner,  S.  C.,  200. 
City  Point,  Va.,  capture  of,  251,  389,  312. 

Coan,  William  B.,  lieut.  col.  48th  N.  Y.,  comd'g  brig.,  305,  309;  col.,  comd'g  div.,  370. 
Cold  Harbor,  action  at,  278. 
Companies,  organization  of,  11. 
Company  A,  13,  148,  212,  464,  566. 
Company  B,  20,  112,  146,  475,  567. 
Company  C,  24,  143,  146,  212,  485,  570. 
Company  D,  37,  496,  572. 
Company  E,  44,  146,  212,  508,  574. 
Company  F,  47,  145,  517,  576. 
Company  G,  51,  143,  212,  527,  578. 
Company  H,  55,  59,  212,  537,  580. 
Company  I,  62,  137,  148,  547,  581. 
Company  K,  65,  555,  583. 

Complimentary  Notices,  210,  236,  238,  318,  372. 
Complimentary  Orders,  Williams,  126;  Gillmore,  204;  Butler,  328;  Birney,  319;  Sherman, 

336. 

Cooper  Shop  and  Union  Refreshment  Saloons,  84,  85,  372. 

Cosgriff,  Thomas,  1st  sergt.  co.  F,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  50,  174,  234,  311,  324,  518,  576,  596. 
Couch,  Darius  N.,  maj.  gen.,  364. 

Cox,  Jacob  D.,  maj.  gen.  comd'g  3d  div.,  23d  corps,  359,  360,  364,  365. 
Craven,  John  J.,  surgeon  U.  S.  V.,  177. 

Crow,  Dallas,  sergt.  co.  B,  com.  sergt.,  1st  lieut.,  capt.,  4,  23,  320,  357,  371,  373,  475,  568. 
Cummins,  Jesse  L.,  capt.  co.  G,  31,  110,  527. 

Curtin,  Hon.  Andrew  G.,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  74,  78,  79,  587,  588. 
Curtis,  N.  M.,  col.  142,  N.  Y.,  comd'g  1st  brig.,  1st  div.,  10th  corps,  288;  brig,  gen., 

comd'g  1st  brig.,  2d  div.,  24th  corps,  341,  347,  349. 

Daggett,  Rufus,  col.  117th  N.  Y.,  341;  comd'g  1st  brig.,  2d  div.,  24th  corps,  359. 
Dandy,  George  F.  B.,  col.  100th  N.  Y.,  comd'g  detachment,  Folly  Island,  153. 
Darby  Town  Va.,  action  at,  331. 
Darby  Town  Road,  action  at,  325. 

Darlington,  William,  Esq.,  reply  to  Dr.  Worthington,  428. 
Darlington,  William  B.,  adjt.  76th  P.  V.,  95. 
Davis,  W.  W.  H.,  col.  104th  P.  V.,  158,  163,  165,  183. 
Dedicatory,  9. 


INDEX.  603 

Deep  Bottom,  Va.,  action  near,  314,  318,  322,  329,  326. 

Deep  Run,  Va.,  encamped  at,  818. 

Defences  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  290. 

Department  of  the  South,  93;  commanders  of,  96,  107,  134,  140,  145,  157. 

Dairy's  Bluff,  action  at,  261,  262,  264. 

Duer.  Augustus  P.,  lieut.  col.,  16,  74,  75,  79,  88,  101,  114, 127,  131,  132,  134,  152,  154,  173, 

174,  175,  177,  181,  316,  222,  242,  432,  459,  590,  5«»6. 
Duffee.  George  W.,  1st  sergt.  co.  I,  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut.,  64;  capt.,  65,  243,  2C2,  303,  324, 

856,  357,  374,  547,  581,  590,  596. 

Dupont,  Samuel  Francis,  commodore,  U.  S.  N.,  93,  94. 
Durnall,  George  II.,  sergt.  co.  H,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  61,  262,  280,  538,  580. 
Dutch  Gap,  253;  canal  at,  313. 

Dutton,  Isaac  L.,  sergt.  co.  H,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  61,  374,  580. 

Eachus,  Francis  J.,  2d  sergt.  co.  C,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  32,  145,  146,  156,  189,  240,  241,  485. 
Edisto  Island,  S.  C.,  100,  129,  153. 
Eighty -^th  P.  V.,  153,  177,  188,  164,  195,  259. 
El  well,  J.  J.,  lieut.  col.,  chief  qr.-mr.  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  147. 
Erwin,  Augustus  M.,  capt.,  48th  N.  Y.,  372. 

Evans,  Louis  Y.,  1st  lieut.  co.  A,  14;  pr.  capt.  co.  G,  53,  54,  97,  527. 
Everhart,  Dr.  John  R.,  surgeon,  16,  28,  74,  86,  133,  136,  184,  212,  292,  239,  248,  272,  280, 

297,  333,  416,  443,  460,  590. 

Eves,  William  H.,  1st  sergt.  co.  G.,  2d  lieut.,  54,  300,  304,  321,  330,  333,  528,  578,  588,  590. 
Fuisson's  Station,  N.  C.,  encamped  :vt,  366. 
Fawkes,  Isaac,  2d  lieut.  co.  D,  40,  228,  280,  496,  572. 
Fernandinn,  Fla.,  capture  of,  104,  108,  299,  211,  216,  218;  ladies  at,  220;  222,  224,  225, 

229,  238,  240,  244. 

Field  and  staff,  74;  biographical  sketches  of,  391;  roster  and  record,  457,  566. 
Fifty-fifth  P.  V.,  hospitality  of,  109;  176,  248,  254. 
Fifty-fourth  Mass.,  162,  169. 

Filler,  John  H.,  maj.  55th  P.  V.,  acting  aid-de-camp,  176. 
Flags,  presentation  at  Camp  Wayne,  72;  second  flag,  321;  return  of,  587. 
Florida,  operations  on  coast  of,  104. 
Folly  Island,  S.  C.,  153,  159. 
Forrest,  John  F,  sutler,  74,  158,  213,  245. 
Fort  Anderson,  N.  C.,  357;  capture  of,  360. 
Fort  Caswell,  N.  C.,  357. 

Fort  Clinch,  Fla.,  capture  of,  103;  garrisoned,  212. 
Fort  Darling,  Va.,  action  near,  262. 

Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  338,  346;  captured,  347;  355,  356,  357. 
Fort  Gilmer,  Va.,  action  at,  323. 
Fort  Gregg,  8.  C.,  capture  of,  199. 
Fort  Harrison,  Va.,  capture  of,  323. 
Fort  Johnson,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  168,  178,  182,  200. 
Fort  McAllister,  Ga.,  102. 

Fort  Moultrie,  Sullivan  Island,  S.  C.,  168,  178,  182,  200. 
Fort  Pulaski,  Ga.,  98;  capture  of,  100;  143. 
Fort  Sumter,  S.  C.,  154,  187,  188,  192,  204. 
Fort  Wagner,  S.  C.,  166,  167,  169,  178,  198,  199,  408. 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  88,  93,  246,  247. 

Foster,  John  G.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  expeditionary  corps,  146. 
Foster,  Robert  S.,  brig,  gen  ,  comd'g  2d  div.,  10th  corps,  321. 
Foster's  Place,  Va.,  centre  point  of  Butler's  position,  262;  action  at  270. 
Gage,  Mrs.  Francis  D.,  and  son,  in  charge  of  contrabands,  S.  C.,  148. 
Gardner,  William,  5th  sergt.  co.  C,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  30;  died,  38;  101,  102,  147,  486,  570. 
Gaston,  N.  C.,  371. 
Gibbons,  John,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  2d  div.,  2d  corps,  344. 


604  INDEX. 

Gibson,  W.  H.  H.,  3d  sergt.  co.  I,  pr.  3d  lieut.,  64;  1st  lieut.,  65,  263,  380,  331,  374,  581. 
Gillmore,  Quincy  A.,  brig,  gen.,  99;  capture  of  Fort  Pulaski,  100;  comd'g  Dept.  of  the 

South,  157;  operations  at  Folly  Island,  S.  C.,  159,  160;  Morris  Island,  8.  C.,  168, 

304;  pr.  maj.  gen.,  305,  238;  comd'g  10th  corps,  346,  348,  354,  364,  399. 
Gloucester  Point,  Va.,  248,  249. 
Goldsboro',  N.  C.,  advance  upon,  365,  366. 

Granger,  G.  Fred.,  col.  9th  Maine,  comd'g  detachment,  339,  358. 
Grant,  Ulysses  S.,  lieut.  gen.,  306,  324,  343,  345,  367. 
Green,  Oliver  D.,  lieut.  col.,  asst.  adjt.  gen.,  U.  S.  A.,  146. 
Green  Plains,  Va.,  action  at,  273. 

Griffith,  Abel,  1st  sergt.  co.  A,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  18,  243,  271,  272,  465,  566. 
Griffith,  Emmor  G.,  2d  lieut.  co.  C,  26,  27,  28;  pr.  1st  lieut.,  30,  98,  110,  486,  590. 
Griffith,  James  M.,  1st  sergt.  co.  K,  pr.  2d  lieut.  68,  556,  583. 
Griffith,  John  B.,  1st  sergt.  co.  B,  pr.  2d  lieut.  23,  373,  476,  568. 
GrimbaH's  Plantation,  S.  C.,  action  at,  116. 
Guss  Fencibles  Band,  69,  462. 
Guss,  Francis  M.,  capt.  co.  A,  4,  17,  20,  106,  131,  134,  145,  148,  2L2,  272,  464,  526,  590, 

592,  596. 
Guss,  Henry  R.,  col.,  4,  12,  13,  75,  117,  124,  125,  131,   132,  152,  154,  161,  162,  183,  198, 

209,  211,  242,  259,  285,  295,  296,  298,  392,  451,  589,  590,  592,  594,  596,  597,  599. 
Haines,  Cheyney  T.,  corp.  co.  G,  pr.  sergt.  maj.,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  55,  322,  342,  356,  528,  578. 
Hall,  James  F.,  lieut.  col.  47th  N.  Y.,  provost  marshal  gen.,  188,  219. 
Halpine,  Charles  G.,  1st  lieut.,  asst.  adjt.  gen.,  149. 
Hamilton,  John,  capt,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  114,  118,  124,  150. 
Hamlin,  Augustus  C.,  lieut  col.  U.  S.  A.,  195.. 
Hancock,  Winfield  S  ,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  2d  corps,  209,  315. 
Hannum,  Charles  H.,  2  lieut.  co.  D,  40,  803,  497. 
Harry,  David  S.,  1st  sergt.  co.  B,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  23,  330,  373,  475,  567. 
Hawkins,  George  W.,  capt.  co.  I,  62,  145,  154,  320,  331,  446,  547,  581. 
Hawley,  Joseph  R.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  1st  div.,  10th  corps,  153,  365. 
Heckmart,  Charles  A.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  brig.,  18th  corps,  251,  252. 
Helper,  H.  H.,  superintendent  of  contrabands,  211,  223. 
Henry,  Franklin  C.,  sergt.  co.  A,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut,,  18,  373,  465. 
Hickman,  Baynton,  J.,  lieut,  col.  49th  P.  V.,  visit  of,  to  regiment,  281. 
Hicks,  John  AV.,  maj.  76  P.  V.,  166. 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  94,  98,  108,  130,  138,  145,  153. 
Hoopes,  Caleb,  1st  lieut.  co.  G,  52;  capt.,  54,  182,  218,  528,  596,  597 
Howard,  O.  O.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  Army  of  Tennessee,  in  N.  C.,  367. 
Howell,  Joshua  B.,  col.  85th  P.  V.,  153,  177,  188,  259. 
Hughes,  James,  2d  lieut.  co.  B.,  20,  98,  475. 
Humpton,  Lewis  E.,  1st  sergt.,  pr.  capt.  co.  A,  18,  464. 

Hunter,  David,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  Dept.  of  the  South,  107,  111,  134,  145,  157. 
Huntsman,  John  E.,  5th  sergt.  co.  F,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  50,  373,  518,  576. 
Independence  Hall,  587,  588. 
Independent  Company,  70. 
Introductory  Correspondence,  67. 
In  War  Time,  8. 

Jackson,  Richard,  capt.  1st  U.  S.  Arty.,  146;  lieut.  col.,  167,  197,  239,  326. 
Jacksonville,  Florida,  capture  of,  105,  106,  107. 
James  Island,  S.  C.,  114,  115;  action  at,  116;  133,  138,  158,  162,  164. 
James  River,  Va.,  249,  313. 
Jamestown,  Va. ,  site  of,  350. 

James,  Washington  W.,  corp.  co.  G,  pr.  com.  sergt.,  capt.,  55,  374,  528. 
James,  William  L.,  capt.  and  act'g  qr.-mr.,  285,  304,  346. 
John's  Island,  S.  C.,  110,  113. 
Johnson,  J.  P.,  capt.  steamer  Boston,  4,  98,  208,  381. 


INDEX.  605 

Johnson,  Joseph  E.,  reb.  maj.  gen.,  surrenderor,  868. 

Jones,  David,  1st  lieut.  co.  H,  57;  qr.-mr.,  4,  58,  74;  post  qr.-mr.,  131,  155,  252,  248,  833, 

400;  brev.  maj.,  588,  590,  591,  596,  597,  598. 

Kiiuffman,  Ilcnry,  Jr.,  1st  sergt.  co.  C,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  84,  242,  258,  486,  588. 
Kautx,  August  V.,  brig.  gen.  cav.,  298,  318,  323,  324,  325. 

Kent,  B.  Lundy,  sergt.  co.  C,  capt.  co.  E,  13th  U.  8.  C.  T.,  35,  100,  110,  487,  570. 
Kilpatrick,  Judson,  brig.  gen.  cav.,  366. 
Kinston,  N.  C.,  operations  at,  3G4. 
Kirk,  George,  sutler,  74. 

Knapp,  John,  1st  sergt.  co.  I,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  64,  229,  548. 
Langdon,  L(X>mis  L.,  capt.  1st  U.  S.  Arty.,  284. 
Latta,  James  W.,  adjt.  gen.,  Pennsylvania,  4,  500 
Leslie,  James  H.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  9th  corps,  283,  308. 
Legareeville,  8.  C.,  112,  115. 
Lemaistre,  George  A.,  sergt,  co.  H,  sergt.  maj.,  58;  2d  lieut.,  59;  capt.,  60,  61,  158,  171, 

212,  262,  280,  537,  580. 

Levengood,  Mrs.  Nettie,  In  Memoriam,  97th  P.  V.,  author  of,  586. 
Lewis,  D.  W.  C.,  capt.  co.  F,  4,  37,  47,  51,  116,  121,  122,  155,  156, 164,  173,  182,  218,'231, 

236,  239,  267,  268,  269,  280,  320,  333,  517,  576,  588,  590,  591,  596,  597. 
Lewis,  Joseph  J.,  Esq.,  reception  of  Gov.  Curtin  at  West  Chester  by,  71). 
Lord,  T.  Ellery,  capt.  3d  N.  Y.,  319,  320,  322. 
Lowry,  Jacob  G.,  sergt.  co.  B,  2d  lieut,  22,  23,  243,  311,  476. 
Malin,  Lewis,  P.,  sergt.  co.  F.,  capt.,  50,  373,  518,  576. 
Mansfield,  James  K.  F.,  brig,  gen.,  89. 

March.  Levi  L.,  1st  sergt.  co.  K.,  2d  lieut.,  67;  1st  lieut.,  68,  243,  302,  3.09,  311,  550,  583. 
Marsh,  Dr.  M.  M.,  agent  sanitary  commission,  177. 
Martin,  J.  Hill,  Esq.,  5,  141. 
Martin,  William  H.,  1st  sergt.  co.  A,  2d  lieut.,  18,  241,  330,  334;   1st   lieut.,  339,  342; 

capt.,  358;  maj.,  368,  369;  lieut.  col.,  370,  371,  454,  459,  464. 
Martindale,  John  II.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  18th  corps,  305. 

Mayport,  Fla.,  capture  of,  105. 

MoArthur,  John  II,  capt.  U.  8.  Cav.,  asst.  mus.  officer,  11. 

McClellan,  Eli  ,  surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  272. 

McConnell,  William,  capt.  co.  E,  44,  140,  154,  158,  247,  508. 

McCoy,  William  B.,  capt.  co.  B,  20,  132,  475. 

McGrath,  John,  2d  lieut.  co.  E,  45;  1st  lieut.,  46,  121,  122,  155,  187,  212,  222,  240,  248,  258, 
321,  333,  416,  508,  590. 

Mcllvaine,  Charles,  capt.  co.  H,  4,  55,  152,  153,  537,  590. 

McGregg,  David  M.,  maj.  gen.  cav.,  318,  315,  316. 

McNamee,  John,  4th  sergt.  co.  E.,  2d  lieut.,  46,  146,  508. 

McWilliams,  James,  1st  sergt.,  pr.  3d  lieut.  46,  47.  811,  333,  508. 

Meade,  George  G.,  maj.  gen.,  2D3. 

Meudenhall,  William  S.,  capt.  co.  D,  4,  37,  280,  295,  301,  309,  311,  496,  572,  588,  590,  598. 

Metcalf,  Edwin,  col.  3d  R.  I.  Arty.,  144. 

Middleton,  Geo.  M.,  1st  sergt.  co.  I,  2d  lieut.,  65,  357,  548,  374,  581. 

Miller,  George  W.,  assistant  surgeon,  74,  132,  207,  247,  460. 

Mitchel,  O.  M.,  maj.  gen.  comd'g  Dept.  of  the  South,  134,  138,  140. 

Monitors,  Weehawken,  Patapsco,  Mohawk,  Catskill,  and  gunboat  Paul  Jones,  167. 

Moore,  Rev.  David  W.,  chaplain,  205,  306,  335;  farewell  letter,  836;  461,  590,  596,  597,688 

Moore,  John  W.,  col.  203d  P.  V.,  820,  355. 

Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  capture  of,  160,  16?. 

Morris  Island,  8.  C.,  siege  of  Charleston,  177  to  208. 

Morrison,  William,  assistant  surgeon,  133,  158,  321,  460. 

Morton,  Annesley  N.,  2d  lieut.  co.  I,  62,  63,  64,  548,  590. 

Morton.  Sketchley,  Jr.,  1st  lieut.  co.  I,  62,  63,  64,  112,  140,  548,  58l. 

Mulford,  John  E.,  3d  N.  Y.,  surgeon  281. 


606  INDEX. 

Muster  Out,  319,  330,  372. 

Myrick,  John  R.,  1st  lieut.  co.  E,  3d  U.  S.  Arty.,  146,  337,  358. 

Myrtle  Sound,  N.  C.,  operations  at,  359. 

Nassau  River,  Fla.,  operations  on,  231. 

New  Ironsides  in  action  at  Fort  Wagner,  167,  168. 

New  Market  Heights,  action  at,  323. 

Nichols,  Isaac  J.,  sergt.  co.  F,  pr.  1st  lieut.  50,  373,  518,  576. 

Nichols,  Pennock  J.,  surgeon,  369,  373,  460,  588,  590. 

Nicholson,  John  C.,  sergt.  co.  E,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  47,  373,  508,  574. 

Odiorne,  David  W.,  corp.  co.  D,  41,  184;  1st  sergt.,  356,  357,  369,  370,  373,  497,  572. 

Odiorne,  Henry,  1st  sergt.  co.  D,  41,  184;  2d  lieut.,  222,  240,  243,  248;  1st  lieut.,  303, 

317,  320,  333;  capt.,  356,  496,  572. 
Ord,  E.  O.  C.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  18th  corps,  305,  323;  comd'g   Dept.  of  Georgia  and 

North  Carolina,  344. 
Our  New  Defenders,  210. 

Paine,  Charles  J.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  3d  div.,  25th  corps,  339. 
Paine,  Lewis  S.,  capt.  100th  N.  Y.,  184,  185. 
Palmer,  I.  N.,  brig,  gen.,  364. 

Paris  Island  occupied  by  detachment  of  regiment,  148;  ballad  of,  149. 
Patterson,  Robert,  maj.  gen.,  13. 

Peace,  William,  2d  lieut.  co.  A,  14;  1st  lieut.,  17,  243,  465. 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  1st  regiment,  at  White  House,  Va.,  286. 
Pennsylvania  Troops  in  action  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  851. 
Pennypacker,  Galusha,  capt.  co.  A,  3,  13,  14,  16;  maj.,  132,  134,  154,  181, 187,  199,  205,  220, 

231,  234;  lieut.  col.,  242,  244,  246,  247,  249,  254,  255,  257,  262,  267,  270,  278,  280, 

282;  col.,  312,  313,  315,  316;  comd'g.  brig.,  2d  div.,  10th  corps,  320,  323,  324,  325, 

331,  337,  339,  348,  349,  350,  351,  352,  353,  355;  brig,  gen.,  U.  S.  V.,  and   brev. 

maj.  gen.,  U.  S.  A.,  356,  369,  399,  458,  566,  589,  590,  593,  596,  597. 
Pennypacker,  Samuel  W.,  Esq.,  4,  400. 
Petersburg  Heights,  capture  of,  292. 
Petersburg  Mine,  action  at,  307. 
Petersburg,  Va.,  threatened  by  Butler's  forces,  257. 
Phillips,  Joseph,  1st  sergt.  co.  A,  2d  lieut.,  19,  373,  465,  567. 
Plan  of  galleries  and  mine  for  explosion,  306. 
Planter,  rebel  steamer,  111. 
Pleasants,  Henry,  lieut.  col.  48th  P.  V.,  306. 
Plympton,  Josiah  G.,  maj.  3d  N.  H.,  170,  177. 
Pocotaligo,  action  at,  139;  capture  of  rebel  flag  marked  P,  161. 
Porter,  David  D.,  rear  admiral,  U.  S.  N.,  338,  340,  347,  352. 
Port  Royal,  capture  of,  93. 
Port  Royal  Ferry,  action  at,  97,  246. 
Port  Walthal  Junction,  Va.,  action  at,  253. 
Potter,  Robert  P.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  div.,  9th  corps,  293. 
Price,  Isaiah,  capt.  co.  C,  24,  72,  98,  112,  133,  135,  187,  212;  maj.,  242,  270,  273,  277,  282, 

288,  291,  309,  313,  314,  321,  322,  379,  434,  459,  485,  559,  587,  588,  589,  590,  591,  592. 
Proctor's  Creek,  Va.,  action  at,  262. 
Promotions,  co.  A,  17;  co.  B,  21;  co.  C,  30;  co.  D,  43;  co.  E,  47;  co.  F,  50;  co.  G,  53;  co. 

H,  61;  co.  I,  64;  co.  K,  67;  other  promotions,  242,  243,  295,  303,  312,  320,  322,  334, 

342,  356,  357,  368,  369,  375. 

Purviance,  Henry  A.,  lieut.  col.  85th  P.  V.,  killed  in  trenches,  Morris  Island,  195. 
Putnam,  Haldiman  S.,  col.  7th  N.  H.,  comd'g  2d  brig,  at  Fort  Wagner,  168;  killed  in 

assault,  171. 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  366,  367. 

Rawlins,  John  A.,  brig,  gen.,  chief  of  Gen.  Grant's  staff,  347. 
Recapitulation  of  siege  duty  at  Morris  Island,  S.  C.,  206 ;  from  roster  and  record,  565 

from  tabular  statement,  585. 


INDEX.  607 

Recruiting  Service,  877. 

Reeves  Point,  N.  C.,  occupied,  357. 

Rhincl,  Alexander  C.,  U.  8.  N.,  comd'g  detachment  to  explode  powder  boat,  840. 

Richardson,  Martin  Van  Buren,  1st  lieut.  4th  N.  H.,  act.  com'y  of  muster,  241. 

Richmond,  Butler's  advance  upon,  257. 

Richmond  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  254. 

Rodman.  D.  C.,  lieut.  col.  7th  Conn.,  166. 

Roster,  873;  roster  and  record  of  service,  74,  457. 

Ruff,  Charles  F.,  lieut.  col.  U.  S.  A.,  30,  58,  74. 

Savage,  Jonas  M.  C.,  1st  lieut.  co.  B,  20;  capt.,  22,  181,  164,  232,  236,  277,  280,  333,  475. 

567,  590. 

Sawyer,  Oscar  G.,  correspondent,  265. 

Saxtou,  Rufus,  brig,  gen.,  Military  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  148. 
Schofield,  John  M.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  23d  corps,  358,  859,  364,  867. 
Scott,  Thomas  A.,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  55. 
Seabrook,  on  the  Edisto,  encamped  at,  154,  157. 
Secessionville,  James  Island,  S.  C.,  action  at,  123,  158. 
Serrill,  Hon.  Jacob  S.,  State  Senator,  letter  of,  72. 
Seventy-sixth  P.  V.,  95,  110,  139,  153,  159,  166,  177,  305. 
Seymour,  Truman,  maj.  gen.,  1G9,  171,  236. 
Shafer,  Hon.  William  T.,  State  Representative,  letter  of,  73. 
Shaw,  Robert  G.  col.,  54th  Mass.,  170. 

Sherman,  Thomas  W.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  Dept.  of  the  South,  96,  107. 
Sherman,  William  T.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  Military  Div.  of  the  Mississippi,  366,  367 
Showalter,  Cyrus,  priv.  co.  C,  pr.  corp.,  3d  sergt.,  35;  2d  lieut.  36,  486,  570. 
Signal  Service,  officers  and  men  transferred  to,  142,  146. 
Skiles,  James  T.,  corp.  co.  B,  pr.  qr.-mr.  sergt.,  21 ;  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut.,  22,  212,  235,  241, 

259,  317,  321,  475,  567. 

Slocum,  H.  W.,  brig.  gen.  and  Member  of  Congress,  comd'g  Army  of  Georgia,  867. 
Smedley  Isaac,  1st  sergt.  co.  C,  2d  lieut.  32,  34,  152,  155,  488. 

Smedley,  Theodore  M.,  sergt,  co.  H,  1st  lieut.,  capt.,  61,  334,  356,  368,  374,  537,  580,  588. 
Smith,  Samuel  D.,  1st  sergt.  co.  E,  1st  lieut.,  capt.,  47,  373,  508,  574. 
Smith,  W.  F.,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  ISthJcorps,  254,  264,  285,  289. 
Smithville,  N.  C.,  occupation  of,  357. 
Spanish  Wells,  S.  C.,  118,  125,  150,  151. 
Stanton,  Hon.  Edwin  M.,  Secretary  of  War,  334,  353. 
St.  Augustine,  Fla.,  capture  of,  105. 

St.  Helena  Island,  S.  C.,  regiment  at,  143;  Christmas  at,  145. 
St.  John,  James,  Sr.,  drum  maj.,  74,  85,  462,  500,  588. 
St.  Mary's  River,  Fla.,  239. 
Stevens,  Isaac  I.,  brig,  gen.,  96,  115. 

Stevens,  S.  S.,  lieut.  6th  Conn.,  killed  at  Fort  Wagner,  171. 
Stevens'  Landing,  James  Island,  action  at,  162. 

Stevenson,  Thomas  G.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  brig.,  154,  .155,  156,  162,  172,  174,  196,  203. 
Stone  Fleet  Blockade,  95. 
Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  action  at,  315,  318. 
Strickland,  Oliver  E.,  2d  lieut.  co.  F,  49,  518. 
Strong,  George  G.,  brig,  gen.,  comd'g  brig.,  159,  160,  166,  168,  171. 
Sugar  Loaf  Hill,  N.  C.,  358,  376. 

Sullivan,  John,  sergt.  co.  E,  2d  lieut.,  47,  123,  373,  508,  574. 
Sullivan,  William  M.,  1st  sergt.  co.  K,  1st  lieut.,  69,  374,  556,  588. 
Swamp  Angel,  185,  189. 
Swift  Creek,  Va.,  action  at,  255. 

Taggart,  George  L.,  priv.  co.  A,  pr.  qr.-mr.  sergt.,  127,  320,  460,  471. 
Talley,  William  Cooper,  col.,  1st  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  286,  328. 
Taylor,  Isaac  B.,  sergt.  co.  D,  2d  lieut.,  304,  356,  373,  496,  572. 


608  INDEX. 

Taylor,  Thomas  S.,  3d  lieut.  co.  H,  1st  lieut.,  58,  59,  110. 

Tenth  Army  Corps,  operations  of,  152,  248,  251,  337,  339,  345. 

Terry,  Alfred  H.,  brig,  gen.,  137,  152,  158,  162,  165,  201;  maj.  gen.,  247,  257;  comd'g 

10th  corps,  305,  324,  344,  347,  358,  364,  365,  366. 
Testimonial  Letter  to  Col.  H.  R.  Guss,  297 ;  his  reply,  298. 
The  Captors  of  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C.,  423. 
The  Last  Ditch  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  364. 
Thomas,  Leonard  R.,  corp.  co.  C,  qr.-inr.  sergt.,  2d  lieut.,  35 ;  1st  lieut.,  capt.,  maj.,  36,  320, 

333,  342,  356,  370,  373,  459,  488,  570,  590. 

Thompson,  John  W.,  1st  sergt.  co.  K,  pr.  3d  lieut.,  69,  374,  556,  583. 
Tilghman,  Benjamin  C.,  col.  3d  U.  8.  C.  T.,  183. 
Torpedoes,  191. 

Tower  Battery,  James  Island,  8.  C.,  116. 

Towle,  George  F.,  1st  lieut.  4th  N.  H.,  act.  insp.  gen.,  183,  202;  capt.,  421,  422. 
Town  Creek,  N.  C.,  enemy  retreat  behind,  360. 
Truce  at  Fort  Wagner  for  burial  of  the  dead,  175. 
Turner,  John  W.,  brig,  gen.,  255,  264,  310,  313,  321. 
Two  Hundred  Guns  To-day,  424. 
Tybee  Island,  operations  at,  99. 
Underwood,  William  8.,  1st  sergt.  co.  K,  2d  lieut,,  1st  lieut.,  4,  68,  304,  357;  capt.,  371, 

374,  556,  583,  588,  590,  591. 

Veterans  re-enlisted  and  on  furlough,  241,  259;  veterans  of  Keystone  State,  372. 
Visitors  to  regiment,  304. 
Vogdes,  Israel,  brig,  gen.,  159,  162. 
Voyage  to  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  93. 

Waddell,  William  B.,  State  Senator,  capt.  Grey  Reserves,  25,  28. 
Wainwright,  John,  1st  sergt.  co.  F,  4,  49;  2d  lieut.  1st  lieut.  50,  122,  233,  258,  320,  324,  326. 

330,  332;  capt.,  334,  338,  354;  maj.,  356;  lieut.  col.,  358,  368;  col.,  370,  371,  373. 

458,  459,  517,  576,  598. 

Warren,  Charles,  priv.  co.  C,  corp.,  2d  sergt.,  2d  lieut.,  1st  lieut.  36,  373,  486,  570. 
Warren,  Governeur,  maj.  gen.,  comd'g  5th  corps,  273. 
Warsaw  Sound,  Ga.,  operations  at,  98. 
Washington,  D.  C.,  86,  87. 

Watkin,  Lewis  H.,  sergt.  co.  H,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  killed  in  action,  61;  262,  280,  538,  580. 
Wayne,  William,  capt.  co.  K,  65,  110,  121,  122,  134,  384,  385,  555,  590,  596,  597. 
Weber,  Thomas  E.,  1st  sergt.  co.  A,  pr.  2d  lieut.,  17,  116,  146,  167,  465. 
Weir  Bottom  Church,  action  at,  320. 
Weir  Bottom  Church  Road,  action  at,  267. 
Weitzel,  Godfrey,  maj.  gen.,  264,  339,  323. 
Weldon,  N.  C.,  371,  372. 
Wells,  how  constructed  at  camp,  90. 
White,  Richard,  col.  55th  P.  V.,  comd'g  brig.,  248,  257.    • 
Whitehead,  Rev.  William  M.,  chaplain,  75,  132,  382,  456,  461. 
White  House,  Va,,  285,  286,  289. 
Williams,  George  W. ,  1st  lieut.  co.  D,  40,  142,  496. 
Williams,  James,  1st  sergt.  co.  I,  2d  lieut.,  64,  548. 
Williams,  Robert,  col.  1st  Mass.  Cav.,  124,  125,  126,  131. 
Wilmington,  N.  C,  357;  capture  of,  360;  prisoners  at,  362;  364. 
Wood,  Dr.  J.  B.,  commissioner  to  conduct  election  at  camp  of  regiment,  328. 
Woodstock  Mills,  Ga.,  expedition  to,  234,  236,  237. 
Wool,  John  E.,  maj.  gen.,  88. 
Worthington,  Dr.  Wilmer,  address  by,  426. 
Wright,  Horatio  Gates,  brig,  gen.,  96,  98,  109,  128. 

Yaruall,  Gasway  O.,  4th  sergt.,  pr.  1st  lieut.,  54,  212,  241,  280,  303,  333,  528,  588,  590. 
Yoast,  Jeremiah,  sergt.  co.  G,  2d  lieut.,  55,  374,  528. 
Yorktown,  Va.,  departure  froia,  249. 


ERRATA. 

Page  24,  line  7  from  bottom,  for  ".I.  E.  Lord,''  read  "T.  E.  Lord." 
Page  .'54,  line  21  from  top,  for  "3d  corporal,"  read  "1st  corporal." 
Page  4C>,  line  11  from  top,  for  "near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  1<>,"  read  "at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.  Ifi." 

Page  50,  line  9  from  top,  for  ••February  28,"  read  "Felruary  29." 
Page  84,  bead  line,  for  "October,"  read  ''November." 
Page  93,  line  3  of  chapter  head,  for  "January,"  read  "June." 
Page  98,  line  22  from  top,  for  "Boston"'  read  "Chelsea." 
Page  99,  lines  10  and    30.   "Gillmore,"   erroneously  spelled  "Gilmore;"    same 

error  inadvertently  repeated  on  pages  100,  157,  159,  IfiO. 
Page  114,  line  3  from  bottom,  for  "peninsula,"  read  "island." 
Page  115,  line  1U  from  top,  for  "Maj.  (Jen.,"  read  "Brig,  (ien." 
Page  117,  line  9  from  bottom,  transpose  comma  from  after  to  before  "himself." 
Page  119,  line   16  from  bottom,  paragraph  of  9  lines,  was  an  inadvertent  repe 
tition. 

Page  127,  line  2  from  top,  for  "Company  I,"  read  "Company  G." 
Page  153,  line  19  from  top,  for  "John,"  read  Joshua." 
Page  15f»,  head  line,  for  "April,"  read  "June." 
Page  199,  line  12  from  top,  for  "regiment,"  read  "regiments." 
Page  254,  lines  23  and  24,  for  "  Brig.  (Jen.,"  read  "Maj.  (Jen." 
Page  288,  head  line,  for  "May,"  read  "June." 
Page  299,  line  (5  after  chapter  bead,  for  "January,"  read  "June." 
Page  32t;,  line  12  from  top,  for  "  R.  II.  Jackson,"  read  "  R.  H.  Jackson." 
Page  352,  line  8  from  top,  for  "the  real,"  read  "their  real." 
Page  374,  line  7  from  top,  for  "George  W.  Middleton,"  read  "George  M.  Mi<l- 

dleton." 

Page  4(55,  line  9  from  bottom,  for  "Jarvis,"  read  "Jervis." 
Page  500,  line  10  from  top,  for  "James  E.  Latta,"  read  "Jame«  W.  Latta." 
Page  510,  line  23  from   top,  for  "in  skirmish    near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July    1(5, 

18()4,"  read  "in  action  at  Strawberry  Plains,  Va.,  Aug.,  1(5,  1804." 
Page  529,  line  1,  for  "Colloum,"  read  "Collom." 

Page  570,  line  I,  in  tabular  statement,  for  "Gardiner,"  read  "Gardner." 
Page  571,  erroneously  printed  271. 
Page  590,  line  18,  for  "April  7,"  read  "April  0." 
Page  591,  line  20,  for  "April  7,"  read  "April  6." 


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